CHAPTER 10
Edgar and Sig entered the main hall of the castle where the opening cocktails were being served with Aunt Elsa and their mom respectively on their arms. Edgar was so nervous he thought he was gonna puke. He scanned the crowd, looking for Jenny and Corey and his new lady love, bought and paid for. No luck. Many greetings were exchanged and Sig sat down with his mom and Aunt Elsa while Edgar went to the bar to get drinks for the group. The place was packed to the brim, over 1,000 people for sure. Edgar continued to scan the room to no avail; he looked down at his hands, waiting his turn to order. Just then he felt a hand on his arm. "Are you okay?" It was a sweet voice with a thick Norwegian accent. He was gonna have to let another eager young lady down. He turned around prepared to give a winning conciliatory smile when he felt a tight pain in his chest. Dear Lord, who is this, he thought. "My name Edgar." He heard his words after an unusual auditory delay, thinking he sounded like a total retard. He remembered to breathe and smiled. She laughed delicately, and placed her hand on his arm. "You don't have to pretend for me Edgar, this is a business relationship remember?" He stammered, "You, you are Louise?" She looked up at him and smiled, "You are a funny guy." She helped him carry their beers back to the table and he stared after her. When he reached the table, Edgar said almost incredulously, "Everybody, this is Louise." The two ladies laughed, and his mom replied, "Yes, Edgar we have known her since she was born, you nut." Jeez, Edgar wondered why he did not remember her.
Louise explained that her sister and brother in law would be along later, they had sick babies to contend with. She had come with her parents and as her father was the bank president she had left him to do his customary handshaking and ventured out on her own. Louise remarked, "I thank you for letting me sit with you while my parents are busy. I have to admit I don't know too many people in my own town. I have been on the mainland for the past six years at school and working in a bank, of course." Sig looked at Edgar, there was no hiding it, he was staring, his mouth open a little. Sig thought he was going to drool at any moment. He checked out the two ladies he came with and they noticed too. Maybe Edgar had made a good investment.
Aunt Elsa said, "You three young people get up from here and enjoy the festivities. Louise may want to dance and get fresh air. Would that be nice for you Louise?" Aunt Elsa spoke in broken English to make Louise feel more comfortable, Edgar noticed. Louise probably continued to speak English to show that she was educated and maybe she thought Edgar did not speak Norse. Edgar rose reaching out for Louise's hand to help her up from the table. She looked into Edgar's eyes and gave a winning smile. "I deserve an Oscar for this." She thought to herself. "Damn, he was always good looking, and he knew it." She let him guide her in front of him as he did so placing his large hand across her narrow back. Edgar noticed as well just how delicate she was. Louise felt a shiver go right down to her toes. Edgar kept reminding himself to breathe. The older ladies recognized immediately the budding young love. Aunt Elsa snapped out of her gaze and charged Sig, "What the hell are you doing still here? Sig smirked, "They are a little old for a chaperone, don't ya think?" Elsa shot back, "I don't need you to chaperone. I need a spy! Now get your ass up from here and keep an eye on them. Report back regularly, now go!" Sig obeyed thinking to himself, "I am nearly 30 years old and she continues to give me orders, dear god it never stops." He was distracted from his ruminations by the vibrating of his cell phone. It was June, THE BOSS. "Hey baby, yeah, everything is fine here and everyone misses you and the girls, I miss you most."