Soul Mates?
Part 6
The attendees had been assigned six to a table which were scattered about the room. Natalie was pleased to see that they'd been seated at one quite close to the musicians since she could see the pianists very well. Slipping into her seat, she picked up the program and glanced through it.
"Can I get you something to drink?" the waiter asked as he handed out the menus.
"A glass of white wine please," Natalie replied and set aside her program.
"The same for me," Stephen added deciding one glass of wine during dinner wouldn't be too much.
"Hello, Stephen, Natalie, I didn't know you would be attending the concert tonight," Kate said as she took the vacant seat beside Stephen.
"I didn't know until Tuesday myself. My friend Trista Ryland gave me her tickets and I invited Stephen to be my guest," Natalie answered.
"So what brings you out tonight, Kate?" Stephen asked. "I saw the photographers as we came in."
"I was invited by Congressman Rhoades if you must know," the NIH director replied and turned her attention to the menu.
Their conversation was cut short as the usher arrived with their tablemates, a couple in their mid-fifties who appeared to be vaguely familiar. It took Stephen a moment to realize that they were a prominent local judge and his wife.
The waiter returned with the wine and proceeded to take the other drink orders. Natalie finished looking through the menu and said, "The chicken in Dijon sauce looks good."
"So does the steak," Stephen told her.
"I see the rest of our little party is here," the congressman commented as he took his seat beside Kate.
"Yes it is. Nathan, I'd like you to meet Dr. Stephen Connor and Dr. Natalie Durant with the NIH.," Kate said, making introductions.
"Pleased to meet you. Congressman Rhoades," Natalie said.
"It's an honor for me to be seated between the two loveliest ladies here tonight," the Congressman said graciously.
At that moment the Master of Ceremonies mounted the stage and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for coming out tonight to help us support the proposed wing for the Children's Hospital. Our program will begin shortly. In the meantime enjoy the meal." There was a polite scattering of applause as he finished speaking and stepped away.
"I hear that this is quite a gathering of classical pianists," Judge Michael Martelli commented and reached over to squeeze his wife's hand. "Althea very strongly insisted that I get us tickets."
"Natalie smiled and said, "A friend of mine gave me hers practically at the last minute. Who's your favorite pianist?"
"Sergei Ivanoff. I saw him perform a few years ago at Carnegie Hall," Mrs. Martelli replied.
The waiter arrived with the drinks and quickly took the orders with Natalie deciding on the chicken and Stephen the steak. Once he had left, Natalie settled back to read over the program as she sipped her wine.
Mrs. Martelli sounded like an excited school girl as she asked, "Do you think we can get his autograph?"
"Only if you behave nicely," the judge said, causing his wife to blush.
Stephen looked over at Kate and commented, "It looks like Natalie has found a fellow admirer"
The musicians soon took their place and the first of the pianists was a young man whom the MC explained had won a local competition for a chance to perform with the masters of the keyboard. He sat down and began to play a piece by Beethoven.
"Not as polished as the others but has definite promise," Mrs. Martelli stated.
The waiter arrived to silently serve each entrée and left the diners to enjoy their meal. Stephen dug into to his steak and noted that Natalie seemed more focused on the music than her meal.