Page 101 of Share with Me

Such effusing compliment. On what basis?

“It’s nothing, sir.” Ivan shrugged. “Christmas music. Well, I don’t mean that Christmas music is nothing, but that it’s not that difficult—”

“Oh, I didn’t mean your musicality tonight. Someone emailed me the link to the Oglethorpe Charity Dinner videos on YouTube. I saw your execution of theFlight of the Bumble Bee.Mechanics is one thing, but mechanics plus musicality—you know what I mean.”

Ivan nodded. In his mind he wondered.Who is that someone who emailed this man the video links?

“That didn’t impress me as much as Paganini. I’m a big fan of Paganini. YourCapricetone—exquisite. Juilliard, right?”

“How did you know, sir?”

“A little bumble bee told me.” The man pressed a business card in Ivan’s hand. “Call me when your SISO season is over. Don’t call me before then, as we obviously don’t want to interrupt your season and make Petrocelli unhappy.”

Ivan looked at the card.

Whoa! National Pops Orchestra!

He could hardly speak. Ivan whirled out of the cathedral foyer. All he could think about was that his career was finally taking off again.

“Hey, man.” The straps to the backpack hanging off Art’s shoulders fitted a bit tightly on the big man. “I see the harpist has a thing for you.”

“Huh? What?”

“Focus, Ivan.” Art popped a chewing gum into his mouth and offered Ivan some. “I was referring to the woman with you earlier. You know, the one in front of the camera inside such a sacred house of worship.”

Ivan groaned. “You saw that too? We dated once. Briefly. She doesn’t understand it’s over.”

“Tell her.”

“I did. Plenty of times.” Ivan went out the front door, where two short flights of steps would take them to the brick sidewalk. “You giving relationship advice now?”

“For a fee I can give any advice. I’m heading back to the hotel. If you want, I can give you a ride in my rental. It has a nice sound system. Andfinemusic.”

“Unlike tonight’s delicate numbers?” Ivan looked around. The tour bus was nowhere to be found. He could go back inside and wait for those introductions that hadn’t come. He had thought that he might meet some ASO people after the concert. He had been hoping for some introductions. A few pats on the back about their performances.

Well, he did get a compliment from that representative of the National Pops Orchestra. That was big, wasn’t it? Maybe. Maybe not. It wasn’t Boston or London or Vienna.

I can’t get my hopes up too high.

The other people who had run into him before and after the concert and during the intermission had mostly been SISO members and a few patrons who couldn’t tell the difference between principal second violinist and first violin.

Ivan hadn’t talked to Conductor Petrocelli since the concert ended. Ivan doubted if Petrocelli had him in mind if he ran into any ASO bigwigs.

“I need some sleep before we head out to Charleston tomorrow. Let’s go.” Ivan motioned. “Where are you parked?”

“On the other side of Lafayette Square. Only place I could find parking.”

“Hope it doesn’t rain harder.”

It didn’t. The drizzle dissipated as Ivan and Art crossed East Harris Street. It might’ve been quicker if they cut through Lafayette Square, but it was covered with trees. The streets had lights. Ivan followed Art down Abercorn and then he couldn’t remember the streets beyond that. They climbed into Art’s SUV and headed toward River Street.

“You know what’s ironic?” Ivan asked.

“What?” Art was a tall man at the wheel. His head was nearly up against the roof of the SUV.

Ivan was tall but not that big. “SISO is not rich, yet every time we come to Savannah we stay in some swanky hotel on River Street. Know why?”

“Do I care?”

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