We carpooled down to the Plaza Mayor again, hitting some new tapas bars. Ana Isabel never left my side, and my flirtation was on the verge of being over the top. Touching, feeding each other, intimate whispers. She seemed to enjoy it, responding in kind, but the subject of our morning discussion never arose.
It felt much like our first day, and I allowed her to introduce me to some more exotic delicacies, while we clung to each other, ignoring most of our companions. I still wasn’t used to their habit of brushing all the crumbs and napkins onto the floor, but when in Rome…
We had dinner at the famous El Botin, the world’s oldest restaurant. It was right around the corner, and I was told a little of the history on the way. We ate on the second floor, immortalized by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises. Our waiter, after seating us, pointed out, “That very chair you sit in was one of Hemingway’s favorites.”
Ana Isabel, seated between me and the wall, laughed. “Please. I hear that every time we come here, everywhere we sit.”
A man in a suit appeared beside our waiter. “Anita, don’t tease the waiters.”
She rose and turned to him, giving him a hug. “Antonio! It is so nice to see you.”
He beamed. “So the suckling pig finally draws you back? It’s been ages.”
She turned and gestured to me, and I stood. “We are celebrating tonight. The end of a big project. Jack is our guest of honor. Jack, Antonio is one of the managers here. His family owns the place.”
“Enchanted. Thank you for choosing to join us tonight. I hope you enjoy your meal.”
I shook his hand, surprised that such a young man would manage such a famous restaurant. “I have no doubt. Of course, how could any meal match the company?”
“Ah, you set a great hurdle before us. I will try to rise to the challenge. Enjoy your meal.”
He stopped by and spoke to several of the men joining us, where we occupied much of the space at that end of the floor. Our party was a good score or more, and they were already bringing out the wine and first appetizers. After all the tapas, I was wondering where I’d find the room for any of it.
The menu had already been decided, and the food was brought out in several servings, including lamb, the famous suckling pig, fresh white asparagus, and too much more to describe fairly. We had some of the famous ham to start, and worked our way through the ensuing feast.
When Antonio came by to check on us, Ana Isabel asked for a private tour. He seemed more than happy to oblige, and walked us through the restaurant, providing some of the history. He took us through the kitchen, showing us the original 300 year old wood burning stove, where they still roasted the suckling pig and lamb. We were even given a tour through the ancient bodega, surrounded by bare stone walls, standing among bottles of wine that looked as old as the restaurant itself.
“Antonio, dear, would you have any special wine we might finish our meal with?” Ana Isabel asked.
He smiled and led us to a rack of wines, and withdrew a dusty bottle. “I think you might enjoy this. I’ll have it brought to you.”
“Place it on my personal bill, please,” she asked.
I was overwhelmed by the ancient feeling of the restaurant, and was sad to see the tour end, as we were escorted back to our table.
I thanked our host, and held out Ana Isabel’s chair before rejoining our group. The sommelier appeared with our wine, and I was almost ashamed to drink it, knowing my uneducated palate was no match for the treasure.
Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time, and I was ecstatic to be able to share the meal with my lovely date, as I considered her to be.
“You seem to be popular,” I commented.
She laughed, “I’ve been coming here as long as I remember. It’s one of my father’s favorites. I don’t get to come by nearly as often as I would like lately. I love the garlic soup.”
“Then I’m glad I had some as well,” I teased.
We were picking at our dessert, oblivious to anyone but each other, and I wondered about the world she lived in. A far different social strata than I’d ever been exposed too. She was beauty and elegance, and seemed a little above us all. For once, she was not a Major, but a member of the royalty, no matter how distant. And it showed.
I hated for the dinner to end, two hours of gastronomic pleasure, but I was reminded the night was still young, and there was dancing to be done.
A short walk allowed us to digest a bit before we entered a rollicking dance hall. We were escorted to a private section, and took over several couches and low tables. Our drink orders were taken, and I was informed it was time to dance.
I’m not much of a dancer, not like these people were dancing. With Ana Isabel, it was like she was suddenly broken free from her shackles of propriety. She danced like a spirit set free. I loved watching her as she moved on the dance floor.
She was obviously well known and popular. As soon as we headed back to our alcove, she was surrounded by admirers. Understandably. She was never at a loss for partners, but turned away more than she danced with. She danced with most of our party, and I can safely say that I didn’t want for partners either. I’m relatively certain that Ana Isabel’s occasional dances with me were a lure to the other women present. It was good to work off some of the food and alcohol.
I was dancing with my Major for the fourth time that night and enjoying it immensely, when she pulled close, dancing more intimately than ever.
“Shall we move on, Jack?”
“Move on?”
“This party will be going on for a while. I don’t think we’ll be missed too badly. What do you say?”
“It would be the perfect end to a less than perfect day. Let’s go.”
We didn’t even make an effort to say our goodbyes, we just slipped out the entrance, finding Carlos waiting for us in the car. We had barely pulled away from the entrance when she broke out the champagne. She poured us each a glass, then offered a toast.
“Shall we drink to a successful project?”
I raised my glass to hers, “Best project of my life.”
After sipping from our glasses she leaned over and kissed me. “I’d also like to drink to one of the most interesting weeks of my life,” she said softly.
“I hope I had some small part in that.”
She smiled beautifully. “Maybe. Just a tiny bit.”
“I’m glad.”
“I thought, if you don’t mind, we might go back to my place and finish our celebration there.”
“Are you sure that’s wise? I’ll be leaving tomorrow, but you still have to deal with the fallout from Don Reinaldo.”
“As far as I’m concerned there is no more Reinaldo. I made that clear to both him and my family today. For four years I went along with their plans, but no more. I’m not sure who the right man is for me, but I know it’s not him. No matter how much our families might wish otherwise.”
“I can’t say that I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t know the man except indirectly, through his actions. I believe you deserve better.”
“As do I, Jack. As do I.”
I finished my champagne, and pulled her close. She slipped into my arms, and I kissed her, deeply, fantasizing for the moment what it could be like if things were different. If we weren’t from such different social classes. If I weren’t leaving the following day. If I didn’t have my soul-mate waiting for me at home.
I rarely thought about Debbie, or Beth, when I was with another woman. I recognized my own fallibility when it came to being with other women, never thinking it more than an act I performed, in between being with the women I loved. It wasn’t something intentional, but my mind usually just blocked them out. And I pursued my amorous perfidy without a thought for the consequences. Either at home, or with the object of my short term obsession.