See part one for disclaimer and other information.
All information about lilacs was found at . I know nothing about flowers and they usually tend to die in my presence. I can keep cut flowers longer than I can keep a potted plant.
The computer has become an intricate part of the office. Margaret finally figured out how to use it. She had hired Leo's next-door neighbor's kid to explain it to her. The younger generation always seemed to be experts on the newest technology. She was sending the bill to Jed, though. The entire mess was his fault.
Her main concern, though, is the event listed on the calendar for this evening. It is a benefit for the Arts Foundation. She has made sure Leo's tux is clean. She has no idea when she had become responsible for Leo's clothes, but last Saturday had been dedicated to mending his dress shirts. For herself, she had bought a simplistic green dress without the big poofy sleeves that seem to be in fashion at the moment. The real problem with tonight is the red-hearted holiday: Valentines. Margaret doesn't relish the implications of going with Leo tonight. Usually Leo takes Margaret to these events to avoid finding someone else, but this isn't just any day. Margaret knows that she is going to feel awkward in amongst all the real couple. It isn't like she has the natural grace to handle these types of situations. Leo never seems to notice.
"Margaret, is my tux back from the dry cleaners?"
Margaret jumps. When did he come out here? "It was delivered this morning."
"Good, go home and take a nap. You're going to be up most of the night."
This is Leo being nice and reluctantly she has learned to accept that.
Cocktails are well underway by the time they arrive. Leo doesn't like to mingle anymore than he has to.
"Leo!" It is Senator Perry and all the obnoxious overtones that come with him.
"Tom," Leo responds shaking his hand like an old friend, but Margaret knows he's faking it.
"Are the college students still treating you well?"
"I'm not leaving the business yet." Leo responds light heartily.
"Good, I wanted to talk to you about the latest tax reform bill."
Margaret tries to smile while following the two men silently across the room. She's relieved when they find a table to sit at. The idea of spending more time hanging on the edge of Leo's conversations just doesn't appeal to her tonight. She neatly arranges the table setting and then settles down to listen. Margaret, after all, wants to be near politics.
The pre-dinner activities are uneventful much to Margaret's relief. She has to intercept only one glass of champagne from ending up in Leo's hands and she has managed to not do anything embarrassing. Sitting quietly at the table has helped that along.
Diner itself is torture for Margaret. They have been seated with the Coles. Margaret had tripped over a potted plant at their house and made quite a spectacle. Mrs. Cole glares at her the whole way through dinner, probably thinking about the stain on her expensive Persian rug. Mrs. Perry finally drags her off to the lady's room. Women just can't go to the bathroom by themselves.
Margaret breathes a sigh of relief when they leave, which earns her an odd look from Leo. The lights pick that moment to dim. A small sized orchestra comes out and sets up to play. The Foundation had supported their formation so they are lending their services for the evening to provide a romantic atmosphere.
Margaret fidgets uncomfortable during the first song, but the second song is her all time favorite. She practically swoons over the guy who wrote it. She pulls Leo out of his seat and onto the dance floor before she can stop to think about what she is doing.
"Margaret what's going on?"
"Leo, we're dancing. You do know what that is?"
He doesn't comment, but let's Margaret enjoys her moment.
Leo isn't quite sure what to do with a dazed Margaret when the song ends. He really doesn't mind being out on the dance floor with Margaret. It's pretty effective at keeping long-winded politicians from bothering him, but his leg is starting to bother him. Looking back up at Margaret, he remembers something he wants to do. "Let's go outside. It's warm in here."
The garden outside is exquisite. The lights are placed exactly right to accent the multi array of flowers. "I wanted you to see this."
Margaret bends down and touches the petals of a lilac. She smiles at the silky smooth texture. "My grandmother grew these in the backyard. She said that they reminded her of my mother."
Leo wasn't prepared for the melancholy nature of Margaret's reaction. She loved his mother's garden and he wanted to show her that sometimes he did pay attention. "Are you okay?" Leo squats down next to her.
"Did you know that Rochester, New York is the Lilac capital of the world?"
Leo smiles brightly, "You're an odd girl."
She stands up and they continue walking along the path. This time Leo has his hand just hovering above the small of Margaret's back. "It started with John Dunbar back in 1892 who planted twenty varieties of lilacs in the Highland Park. The park now has an annual festival that attracts half a million people to see the five hundred varieties of lilacs."
In the office Leo might have stopped her, but out here it is comforting. It is something normal that he could get used to.
They stop in front of a bench and Leo puts his jacket on Margaret's shoulders before they sit down.
"Should we go back inside?"
"Nah, I hate these things?"
"Why do we keep going to them?"
"It's charity and I'm searching for something."
"Something not at the bottom of a bottle."
Margaret looks shocked; she has no idea what had just come over her. Leo looks like he's been punched. Jenny's words flash through his mind again.
He automatically spews, "I'm not an alcoholic. Don't call me that." He's responding to accusations made years earlier and from a different person.
"Leo, who are really arguing with? That's not what I said, but I would like to point out that you threw a decanter at me."
His hands start to fidget. He wants a glass to hold onto, but that only makes him feel worse. "I don't want to become my father. I know what he did to my mother. She wasn't very good at hiding stuff."
"Lilacs bloom for only a short period of time, but create shade the rest of the year."
Leo catches what she is trying to say and lets out a hesitant laugh to lighten the mood, "Where do you get this stuff?"
Margaret shrugs. She has inadvertently given Leo enough to think about already. "Let's blow this popsicle stand."
Leo laughs and just shakes his head. He never knows what his secretary is going to come up with next.
TBC
This will be the last post until after the end of the semester. I have to study for finals and write a really long paper. However, my Christmas break will be dedicated to writing fanfiction and searching for scholarships. College is way to expensive!
Thank you to those who have reviewed!
While I write because I enjoy it, I don't mind reviews at all.