Chapter 2 - Nobody leaves the ballroom
Victor did not answer immediately.
That saved him from making the first of several mistakes.
He looked at Chloe.
Then me.
Then the guests.
The artistic director near him, Elena March, frowned.
“What composition?”
Victor finally said:
“This is not the place.”
Chloe answered:
“You told me to play.”
A few people looked away.
Others leaned closer.
Victor’s chief of staff, Martin Shaw, moved toward me.
“Nora.”
I stepped between him and Chloe.
“Do not touch her.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
Victor said:
“Everyone continue with the evening.”
No one did.
A pianist who had performed earlier approached the Steinway.
“What did she play?”
I said:
“Nothing else tonight.”
Victor looked at me.
“Nora.”
That voice had ended conversations with senators.
It had made employees apologize before understanding what they had done.
For eleven years, I had responded to it.
“Yes, Mr. Blackwood.”
That night I said:
“No.”
He stared.
Then one guest asked:
“Is that Ashes Above the River?”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
Elena March answered before he could.
“No.”
She looked at the keyboard.
“It’s related.”
Chloe said:
“He changed it.”
Victor finally moved.
“Martin, clear the room.”
Elena laughed once.
“You cannot clear a gala because a child played a melody.”
Victor turned toward her.
“This is my house.”
“Yes.”
She looked at Chloe.
“And apparently somebody else’s music.”
There.
The first person with enough status to say it aloud.
Guests began whispering.
Victor did not order security to seize phones.
Did not imprison anyone.
Did not threaten Chloe.
He did something much more realistic.
He ended the performance program early and moved guests into the east reception rooms under the explanation of:
“a family matter involving household staff.”
Household staff.
Me.
A category.
Not an accusation yet.
Martin approached again.
“Nora, Victor wants to speak privately.”
“No.”
“You work here.”
“Not for the next ten minutes.”
He looked confused.
I took Chloe’s hand.
“We’re leaving.”
Victor said:
“If you walk out now, we will have to address what just happened formally.”
I stopped.
“Good.”
That answer surprised both of us.
Then Chloe squeezed my fingers.
“Mom?”
I looked down.
She was shaking.
Bravery and fear can occupy the same body.
“We’re going home.”
May you like
And we did.
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