HOPEULIKIT, Georgia

© 2012 Danna Shirley

Short story for Creative Writing Class, Bartlett Senior Center, Bartlett, TN

Nicholas and Beatrice were dressed in their finest and arrived in their brand new 1934 Sedan to celebrate. They had driven many miles to dance the night away at the Hopeulikit Hall. For some reason this little establishment had stolen the bright lights and big city of Atlanta and the ‘in’ crowd was moving out to the country to listen and dance to the big bands of the day. Also strange was the fact that the big bands were fighting to book a weekend at the Hopeulikit. 

When they walked into the room, they understood why. It was as elegant and stylish as any New York nightclub. The chandeliers were opulent and set at just the right lighting for a romantic atmosphere of dining and dancing. Tables with fresh flowers circled the main dance area made of beautiful hard wood floors and a half balcony of tables looked down from above. The band platform was at one end of the room where soothing and melodic sounds were already being distributed to the four corners.

This was not like the wild and frenzied clubs of the Roaring 20’s but something new and pleasant. They had been there, done that, and wanted a change of pace. Maturity was setting in with the couple. As they looked around the room, it was apparent that others were seeking the same peace and serenity. Nicholas checked their belongings and they requested a table on the upper floor.

Looking out over the balcony, Bea noticed her friend, Janice, across the room walking toward a table in the corner, but the handsome man sitting there was not her husband. Bea turned her face but not her eyes as she watched the man rise and give Janice a hug and peck.

What to do; what to do. She wished she had not seen this. Should she mention it to Nick? Should she tell him they must leave before Janice saw her? This place was so out-of-the-way she must have thought they would be safe to meet here alone.

Nick lifted his glass to Bea, “To you my darling on our twelfth anniversary. May we enjoy many, many more.”

Bea smiled and clinked her glass with Nick’s. Then a realization gripped her mind. We attended Jim and Janice’s anniversary party just a few months ago, and now here she is with another man.   

Nick was speaking to her but she wasn’t listening. He touched her arm. “Would you like to dance?”

Yes, she wanted to but what if they danced too closely to their table. Bea didn’t want to take any chances to be seen by her. Then Janice would know she had gotten caught.

“Well, Bea?” Nick asked again.

She took his hand and they descended the stairs to the dance floor. She tried to lead him away from that side of the room but he kept spinning and twirling her everywhere. Finally, she was lost in the music and Nick’s arms.  

“Look, there’s someone we know.” Nick began dancing toward their table.

Bea tried to avoid eye contact but could feel her face rising pink. When they reached the corner table and she looked up, there sat Jim with his arm around his wife. The handsome man sat opposite them.

“Nick and Bea, I would like you to meet Janice’s brother, Charles. He is visiting from California and we wanted to show him this new place we found.”

Bea breathed a deep sigh of relief and smiled. “So happy to meet you, Charles. So, very, very happy!”