space, I see Davis, Smitty and Kathleen looking out one of the bay windows and pointing down at the street.
“I thought they might be here,” Kathleen says, irritation evident in her tone.
Davis is shaking his head and puts a hand on Kathleen’s back. Consolingly, he says, “I didn’t know it was still an issue. I mean, I am so used to being left alone now that I am out of Chicago. How much does this happen, Kath?”
“It slowed down considerably when you came down here to school and your dad got the press to agree to leave you alone. Lately, since Christmas, if I go out at night, to a party or anything, they are around. You know we never publicly announced we were no longer engaged.”
Davis’ tone darkens as he tells her, “I didn’t think we had to. It’s nobody’s business but ours.”
Joining them at the window I am at a loss. What are they talking about? When I get to the window to stand between Davis and Smitty, I get it. Photographers. Paparazzi? Davis is the son of a politician – former Illinois state politician – and Kathleen a wealthy society girl. This is really out of my league. I look up at Davis, questioning with my eyes.
“Those guys give all photographers a bad name, damn vultures. It pisses me off.” Smitty is more worked up then I have ever seen him. He doesn’t usually show much emotion. He’s all about portraying the hipster – or maybe just introverted. But right now he is huffing mad.
We work out a plan to get to HeartSmash while giving them minimal photographic fodder to peddle. Getting out of the condo is no problem. We are parked in the underground garage and Davis’ car has blacked out windows. The challenge will be walking into the venue and coming back out. The plan is pretty simple. We will all go in Davis’ SUV. When we get there, I will walk in with Smitty and Davis and Kathleen will go in together. I don’t like it. I’d like us to go in together as a couple, but in the eyes of the world Davis and Kathleen are still together. I am not even on the radar. We haven’t told his parents or mine how serious we are. Davis’ mom still harasses him about breaking up with Kathleen. It’s something we just need to suck up and do. The photographers are on Davis’ car the moment we leave the garage. I’m surprised by the brightness of the flashes as they attempt to take pictures through the blacked out glass. It saddens me that I don’t even get to sit next to my date on the way to the party. I am in back with Smitty.
Kathleen looks back and apologizes to me on the way, “I am so sorry, Biz, I seem to be ruining your weekend in more ways than one. I promise I will do my best to stay out of the way for the rest of the night.” She shoots Smitty a look after finishing her last thought. It causes me to grin with suspicion and wonder exactly how she is going to “stay out of the way.”
HeartSmash is being held at a small local ballroom off campus. Music acts – local, regional and national – sometimes perform there when they are trying out new stuff. When it’s not being used for concerts, it’s open for dance parties or rental. The paparazzi don’t hesitate to get in our faces after Davis parks the car and we all get out to walk into the venue. It’s not a huge crush of photographers or anything, just something I’ve never experienced before. Davis and Kathleen are in front of us, bearing the brunt of the flashes. Smitty and I aren’t garnering much attention, which is fine with me. I am pleased that every few moments, Davis looks over his shoulder to check on me and say sorry with his gorgeous green eyes. I mean, how could I be upset
“I thought they might be here,” Kathleen says, irritation evident in her tone.
Davis is shaking his head and puts a hand on Kathleen’s back. Consolingly, he says, “I didn’t know it was still an issue. I mean, I am so used to being left alone now that I am out of Chicago. How much does this happen, Kath?”
“It slowed down considerably when you came down here to school and your dad got the press to agree to leave you alone. Lately, since Christmas, if I go out at night, to a party or anything, they are around. You know we never publicly announced we were no longer engaged.”
Davis’ tone darkens as he tells her, “I didn’t think we had to. It’s nobody’s business but ours.”
Joining them at the window I am at a loss. What are they talking about? When I get to the window to stand between Davis and Smitty, I get it. Photographers. Paparazzi? Davis is the son of a politician – former Illinois state politician – and Kathleen a wealthy society girl. This is really out of my league. I look up at Davis, questioning with my eyes.
“Those guys give all photographers a bad name, damn vultures. It pisses me off.” Smitty is more worked up then I have ever seen him. He doesn’t usually show much emotion. He’s all about portraying the hipster – or maybe just introverted. But right now he is huffing mad.
We work out a plan to get to HeartSmash while giving them minimal photographic fodder to peddle. Getting out of the condo is no problem. We are parked in the underground garage and Davis’ car has blacked out windows. The challenge will be walking into the venue and coming back out. The plan is pretty simple. We will all go in Davis’ SUV. When we get there, I will walk in with Smitty and Davis and Kathleen will go in together. I don’t like it. I’d like us to go in together as a couple, but in the eyes of the world Davis and Kathleen are still together. I am not even on the radar. We haven’t told his parents or mine how serious we are. Davis’ mom still harasses him about breaking up with Kathleen. It’s something we just need to suck up and do. The photographers are on Davis’ car the moment we leave the garage. I’m surprised by the brightness of the flashes as they attempt to take pictures through the blacked out glass. It saddens me that I don’t even get to sit next to my date on the way to the party. I am in back with Smitty.
Kathleen looks back and apologizes to me on the way, “I am so sorry, Biz, I seem to be ruining your weekend in more ways than one. I promise I will do my best to stay out of the way for the rest of the night.” She shoots Smitty a look after finishing her last thought. It causes me to grin with suspicion and wonder exactly how she is going to “stay out of the way.”
HeartSmash is being held at a small local ballroom off campus. Music acts – local, regional and national – sometimes perform there when they are trying out new stuff. When it’s not being used for concerts, it’s open for dance parties or rental. The paparazzi don’t hesitate to get in our faces after Davis parks the car and we all get out to walk into the venue. It’s not a huge crush of photographers or anything, just something I’ve never experienced before. Davis and Kathleen are in front of us, bearing the brunt of the flashes. Smitty and I aren’t garnering much attention, which is fine with me. I am pleased that every few moments, Davis looks over his shoulder to check on me and say sorry with his gorgeous green eyes. I mean, how could I be upset
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