Chapter 2
After Laura had a few more glasses of ambrosia, she asked Tom, "Do you dance, Mr. Zarek?"
Zarek, who was rather sober for the most part and didn't have nearly as many drinks as Laura, was entirely shocked by her inquiry. Tom knew that if Roslin was sober, there would be no way in hell she would ask him to dance with her.
"Um… I'm not very… talented when it comes to dancing," he answered with a slight grin. "Sorry to disappoint."
Laura stood up from the bar stool, although she did so while stumbling a little, held out her hand and said, "Nonsense! Everyone can dance. Come on!"
"No, no… I couldn't. Really. I'm a horrible dancer."
"No excuses, Tom. Let's go," Laura said with a smile. At last, Tom consented to a dance, but only one time as he stressed to Laura. Zarek put one hand on Roslin's waist, and the other cupped in her hand.
The song was slow and pretty. It was along the lines of slow jazz with its soft percussion and trumpets. 1, 2, 3…, Tom silently counted to himself in his mind as they stepped to the beat. Laura put her head on Tom's shoulder, and then gently kissed his neck. He stopped for a moment in surprise and looked down at Laura, waiting for an explanation. Instead of words, Laura leaned in closer and kissed Tom on the lips.
"Laura, maybe you should go home for the night," suggested Zarek.
"Why? We're just getting warmed up," Laura replied with a grin. She leaned in to kiss Tom again, but he pulled away.
"You're drunk. You probably should get to bed and sleep it off."
Laura pushed Tom away, stumbled to the bar and crossly said, "You know what, Tom? If you want to go to bed and be a party pooper, then go ahead. Me? I'm staying here and having fun."
"Laura, it's late and you're drunk. You have to teach children tomorrow and, at this rate, you'll never get sobered up enough in time," Zarek insisted. "Look. If you don't agree to go back home, then I'll be forced to…."
Just then, Laura started to fall back and would have hit the ground quite hard if Tom hadn't of caught her before that happened. Obviously, she passed out from too much alcohol. So Zarek carried Laura to her home, and then laid her down on her bed.