The Bridegrooms Read Free

that it will walk itself around the corner?”
    “I wanted to be sure there were no errors. I didn’t know if you’d want to make any changes.”
    “Changes in what way, Miss Allenhouse?” He looked down at her, though he had to nearly raise himself to his toes to do so. “Is there something in our current repertoire that you find lacking?”
    “No…no, of course not.” She wanted desperately to bring her kerchief up to wipe the sweat from her brow, lest Herr Johann believe it was his pathetic attempt at authority that had her in such a heated state. But no such indignity could ever take place in the presence of one so highly self-esteemed, so she forced a sweet smile. “If you’ve looked it over—”
    “It is my job, now, to verify the program? I am to be both the musical director, the conductor, and the theater secretary?”
    The insufferable man made himself taller and taller with each word until Vada was tempted to look down to see if his expensive shoes were still attached to the floral carpet.
    She puffed herself up a bit. “I’ll get them to the printer first thing Monday morning.”
    “Which means you can assure me they will be ready by Friday night?”
    She bit the inside of her cheek. “Perhaps the printer is still open. I can take them by this evening on my way home.”
    Herr Johann lowered his heels to the floor and gave a curt nod before walking away, his hands still clasped at his back.
    A peek through the thick double doors showed Garrison had made no progress extracting himself from the conversation with Mr. Pennington, so Vada allowed herself a quick foray into the powder room before making her way to the little office at the back of the theater. Here the faint rays of late afternoon sun stretched through the skylight, allowing her to find the large cream-colored envelope in the middle of her desk.
    Four sheets of paper in all—the first proudly announcing the debut of the East Cleveland Terrington Community Orchestra, under the leadership of Bertram Johann. The second listed the five pieces to be performed, beginning with Bach’s
Brandenburg Concerto no. 5
and culminating in his “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.”
    It was a far cry from the glorious philharmonic that had filled thecity with ambitious, masterful performances for as long as Vada could remember. No, the gathering of musicians on this stage was very much a remnant—some carried over from the philharmonic, but most, like her Garrison, just ordinary men who’d once abandoned their instruments to work in small, cramped offices all over the city. Their names were listed on the final pages, followed by small blocks of advertising.
    After the concert, “Waltz” on into Sherm’s Soda Shoppe, present this program, and receive two chocolate sodas for the price of one!
    Visit the birthplace of the Viennese Waltz! Let D. S. Walters book your voyage today!
    Vada sighed. What she wouldn’t give to take such a journey. To visit all those places she’d dreamed about as a child.
    Someday
.
    Now, though, she squinted to make out the time on the wall clock. Four forty-five. If she hurried, leaving right now, she should have time to make it to the printer’s before they closed. She rushed out of the office, nearly colliding with Garrison in the hall.
    “How did we sound?” Behind his spectacles, bright blue eyes searched for her approval.
    “Better,” Vada said after just a breath’s hesitation. “Much better as the rehearsal wore on.”
    He seemed awash in relief and held his violin case up in a gesture of victory. “I thought so too. But it’s hard to tell on stage. What did you think—”
    “Listen.” She held up the envelope. “I need to get this around the corner before five o’clock. Can you walk with me?”
    His face puckered the way it always did before giving her disappointing news. “Sorry, darling. I have to get some briefs prepared to file in court on Monday. And I don’t want to work on the Lord’s