Water Ch. 40 - These Arms Are Open All Night 2005

 

Finishing up her day at work was no relief to her.  Now she had to go home and put on a damn cocktail dress and head out to that party.  Driving home, with the radio up, she had missed a call from Jon.  Damn it! she said to herself.  I'll call him when I get home.

Walking into the house she returned Jon's call.  It rang and rang and then went to voicemail.  She left a short and simple message, Hi Jon it's Beth.  Sorry I missed your call.  Call me when you get a minute.  Until next time.  And she hung up.

 

 

 

She went on with her night, she had to shower, pick out her dress, Tammy was coming over to do her hair and she needed to get to the party before 9:00.  Ugh, she doesn't want to go. 

Wrapped in a towel, she goes and lets Tammy in.  "Hi there, thanks for doing this for me.  I was just going to pull it up, but a ponytail wouldn't look good with the dress I picked."

 

"Oh, what dress did you pick?"  Tammy wondered because Beth never mentioned a thing at the office about her dress.

 

"I picked the one that Jon bought me.  The little black dress.  It's amazing, come look at it." she drags Tammy into her walk in. 

 

Tammy sees the dress and asks, "Is that the $6000.00 dress?"  With her hands over her mouth.

 

Beth nods and says, "Isn't it beautiful?"  Tammy had to touch it.  She's never seen anything like it.  "Do you think it's too much?  To dressy for a cocktail party?"  Beth asks her assistant.

 

"God no, you'll be the hottest thing in there, it's perfect.  You have to wear it.  You do know that there is a red carpet and all that, tight?"

 

"Yeah, I know.  Come on.  I need my hair done, I'm running out of time.  Josh said the car would be here at 8:50.........."  They run off into the bathroom and Tammy creates the cutest little up do for Beth.  It's adorable.   She is ready to knock them dead.

 

There is a buzz at the door, Beth says, "That's my car.  Please lock up, thank you!"  and runs out of the house to the waiting car. 

 

Arriving at the party, the car pulls up to the red carpet and Beth steps out.  Paparazzi were snapping pictures and yelling for Beth, "Beth where's Jon?  Beth over here.  Beth is Jon getting a divorce?"  She wasn't expecting that.  Never even gave it a thought.  She felt SO small, and so alone. 

 

There was eye candy on staff to escort single women and men up the red carpet and into the gala.  As soon as she got into the gala, she headed to the bar and asked the bartender for a drink.  She stood there or a moment and let the hub bub die down. 

 

As far as she knew, no one at her work really knew about Jon. Tammy picked up pieces here and there throughout the day, but didn't ask questions. 

 

She makes her way through the crowd and up to the client that she had just signed.  He was a man of wealth and fame, but to her that meant nothing. She seen him as a commission check, cha ching.  She extended her hand and said, "Good Evening Mr. Buffet.  How are you?"  He shook her hand and kissed her on the cheek.

 

"Hello Beth.  How are you?  You look absolutely beautiful."  he embarrasses her, that was rare.

 

"Well, thank you, sir.  Are you enjoying yourself?" she needed someone else to talk, she wasn't feeling up to the show, she wasn't in the mood to wow a client.

 

"I am, thank you.  This is a beautiful set up.  I appreciate your firms effort in making me feel welcome." Smiling at her, he continues with, "I know I made the right decision is moving."

 

"We know you will be very happy with us, sir.  Is there anything I can get you?" she hopes he's good and she can make her way into the corner.

 

"No Miss Adams, I think I am fine.  Thank you though." he replies, standing there with other men that she has no idea who they are.

 

"Excuse me please?" she says as she starts to walk away.  She needed to sit down.  It had finally occurred to her she hadn't eaten very much today, she needed a bite to eat.  She would probably feel better.  She looked around for an hoer derv table and she spotted one.  She walked over and got herself a little plate of cheeses and shrimp.  She's sure that would make her feel better.

 

Once she had all that she wanted, she went and found her place setting.  There were other people at the table that she knew.  The higher ups at her firm and their wives.  She was the only unmarried one at the table. 

 

Making small talk was easy when you're at a table of hot headed, over inflated ego's.  The only issue that Beth had, was the issues the wives had with her.  She couldn't help it that she was pretty and friendly and the only woman in the firm with COE after her name.  First in the history of the company.  It's not her fault that these guys probably go home and talk about her, Beth was a force to be reckoned with.  She is the woman wives love to hate.

 

Dinner was served and everyone was happy.  The cocktail party honoring/welcoming Warren Buffett was very successful and everyone had a great time.  Beth even enjoyed herself a little bit.  She was getting ready to leave, feeling like she had given enough at the gala.  She grabbed her purse and went over to Mr. Buffett and excused herself.  He thanked her for a wonderful evening and told her that he would see her again real soon.  Beth appreciated that. 

 

Walking out onto what is now just the side walk, as the red carpet has been removed, she is looking for her car.  It's chilly out and she forgot a wrap, so she was cold waiting on her car.

 

As she was standing there, day dreaming, someone approached her and put a jacket over her shoulders.  For a split second she was startled, and then her thought went to Josh, one of her co -workers, but when she turned around and seen it was Jon, she about died.