Chapter 3
They left two days later to drive up to Newport. It was summer, and Oscar enjoyed driving the convertible up the coast. Once he got past New York, the traffic dissipated somewhat and they were able to enjoy the drive. Caroline didn't talk much about Ted. Oscar felt bad for her, she was obviously upset, but maybe the party would take her mind off of him.
Jaime's flight to Newport was uneventful, and she arrived at the Secretary's home just as the party was starting. She had called to RSVP at the last minute, and was lucky enough that someone had just cancelled, and would be able to stay at the Secretary's house instead of at a hotel in town. An attendant showed her to her room on the upper floor where she showered and changed before heading down to the party, which by now was in full swing. As she walked down the curving marble staircase, she felt like she was walking into a fairytale.
There was a small orchestra playing in the foyer, the music filtering throughout the house. The house was lit entirely by candles, with the exception of the large chandeliers in the foyer and the ballroom, their crystals glittering like diamonds in the light. There were flowers everywhere – she could smell roses and orchids from every corner of the room. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she could see the ballroom at the other end of the foyer, it's mirrored walls reflecting the candlelight like a prism. She took a glass of champagne from one of the servers as he walked by. She sipped it slowly, letting the bubbles dance lightly on her tongue as she savored each swallow. It was definitely a black tie affair – the men all wore black tuxedos and the ladies were garbed in a rainbow of different colored gowns. One woman, who appeared to be the Secretary's wife, was dressed in a beautiful gold sequined gown. She was greeting people as they passed into the ballroom. Jaime strolled around the room, delighting in the beauty of the evening. It wasn't long before someone asked her to dance.
"Jaime? It's Tom. Tom Jenkins. Remember? We met last year at the conference in New York?"
Jaime searched her somewhat unreliable memory bank, trying to remember Tom. "Sure, I remember. How've you been?" She had no idea who this man was, but she thought she'd wing it as long as possible.
"Fine. I'm in Washington now – attached to the Secretary's office. Would you like to dance?"
Jaime sat her drink down and twirled around the ballroom with Tom. He was an excellent dancer, and maneuvered her easily through the crowded floor. Jaime thought she might enjoy this evening after all. After she finished her dance with Tom, another gentleman asked to cut in. After four dances, each with a different dance partner, Jaime politely stepped off the floor for a break. She grabbed another glass of champagne and relaxed against one of the walls to watch the other dancers. The swirl of colors from the ladies dresses was dazzling. They blended in and out of the stark black and white of the men's tuxedos. Jaime could feel her body sway gently with the music as she gazed at the dancing throng.
Then a woman in an exquisite emerald green dress caught her eye. She looked like a model, her dark hair flowing around her shoulders, her long legs peeking out of a slit in her dress. She was laughing with a man who's face she couldn't see, but who's tall, muscular frame seemed vaguely familiar to Jaime. The dark haired girl, took the man by the hand and led him to the dance floor. The floor was so crowded, she could hardly see them. Jaime was strangely drawn to watch the couple as they glided effortlessly across the floor. As the dance finished, she could see the woman kiss the man with the hidden face. As he turned his head, Jaime let out a gasp that startled those standing near her.
It was Oscar. She felt like she was going to be sick. She nearly dropped her champagne glass, her hands were shaking so badly. A kindly older lady came up to her and put her hand on Jaime's shoulder. "Are you okay dear? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Jaime could barely speak as she hoarsely whispered, "I'm fine. I just need a breath of fresh air." She ran from the room to the terrace, trying to avoid contact with Oscar and his "aunt". Some aunt. Aunts were supposed to be old ladies with blue hair and hunched backs. This woman was gorgeous – and young – maybe only a few years older than Jaime. If she's his aunt, then my uncle's a monkey. She stood at the terrace railing, looking out over the lawn to the Rhode Island Sound beyond. Jaime didn't know who to blame. On one hand, she did turn him down in the first place. He had every right to invite someone else to attend. On the other hand, Oscar could have at least told her the truth – that he had asked someone else – he didn't have to invent this aunt story.
Several dances later, Oscar was dead on his feet. Caroline had too much energy, and he was spent. As he tried to figure out what he was going to do with her the rest of the evening, his savior arrived like a knight in shining armor. It was Ted. He had flown all the way from Florida to see Caroline. He had realized what a heel he was, and begged her to forgive him. She fell into his arms, kissing him – yes, she would forgive him. He took Oscar aside to speak with him. Oscar shook his hand firmly, nodding, and then patted him on the back in congratulations. Ted was asking Caroline to marry him.
As Jaime stood there contemplating what to do, she realized that she may have jumped to a conclusion. After all, Oscar did ask her first. Maybe this was just a friend, and they were just dancing after all. Jaime laughed at herself as she tried to regain her composure, wiping the tears from her eyes. She decided to try to find Oscar to straighten all this out. Maybe he would get a laugh out of it.
She went back inside but couldn't find Oscar anywhere. The Secretary's wife saw her looking around aimlessly, and approached her. "Hello again dear, can I help you?"
"Oh yes, have you seen Mr. Goldman? I wanted to say hello." She hoped she didn't look too anxious, but suspected she probably did.
"I did hear him say something about going to his room. If you go down that hall, the gentleman can tell you which room he's in." The Secretary's wife smiled at Jaime. She knew a woman in love when she saw one.
Jaime walked down the hall to a little alcove at the end where a man was directing people to their rooms. "Can I help you miss?"
"Um.. yes, the Goldman room please?"
He ran his finger down the list…."3rd floor, second room on the left". He neglected to ask her if she wanted Caroline or Oscar Goldman's room.
Jaime practically sprinted up the stairs, she was so eager to set things straight. As she reached the third floor and found the second room on the left, she took a deep breath and knocked. She could hear a voice from inside. "It must be the champagne honey, I'll be right back." The door opened, and Caroline was standing in Oscar's room with just a towel wrapped around her. She smiled when she saw Jaime. "You must be Jaime. I watched you play at Wimbledon. Oscar's told me so much about you. Please come in. I'll be dressed in a moment – we're celebrating." Jaime saw the diamond ring on her finger. It looked like the size of a walnut.
Jaime just stared at her, trying to choke back the tears that were filling her eyes. She muttered something incoherent, and for the second time that night, went running outside.
Caroline stood in the doorway, not fully comprehending what just happened. Oscar was just coming down the hall, champagne glasses in hand when he saw a woman running from Caroline's room – and she was going at a pretty good clip. He saw Caroline standing in the doorway, half naked. "For God sakes Caroline – put some clothes on!"
She stammered. "I was just getting dressed when someone knocked on the door. I thought it was the champagne."
"Who was it?" Oscar already knew the answer.
"I think it was that Jaime you work with. She just looked at me and ran away."
The light bulb just went on in Oscar's head. Jaime didn't know he was coming here with Caroline, hell, he didn't even know he was coming here with Caroline. She must have come on her own and seen them. She probably got the room mixed up. Oh God. She thinks I'm with Caroline. "Caroline honey, I gotta go. Congratulations." He handed her the glasses and took off after Jaime.
