400
I took a journey deep in reverie. I found myself at the corner of Chance and Destiny in front of this little jazz joint with dilapidated charm.
Dice and “711” flashed on a neon sign. The interior was twice as large as the building appeared on the outside. The host said, “Your table is waiting for you” and lead me by my arm.
We followed a red-carpet path that divided a black and white checkered marble floor. People were decked out in dapper décor. Tables were draped in white, with candles in blue glass as the centerpiece.
Chandeliers dazzling dangling gems of illumination gave the place a Savoy, Ritz like sensation. I was filled with awe as the host lead me to my seat.
The ceiling was vaulted painted with a mural collage of musicians from the past. This place was the epitome of class. My table was only a few feet from the stage.
The band, a quintet, was warming up playing “Take 5”. A waitress poured me some burgundy color wine. As the show began the light fades.
A gentleman wearing a white tux approached the mic. “We have a special treat for you tonight. Please give a warm welcome to Ana Red”
A spotlight revealed one of the most beautiful of God creatures with spellbinding features, holding an efface pose. Left hand above her head.
She was wearing a long scarlet form fitting dress. It was strapless with a slit that went up to her upper thigh. “Oh My!”
She was looking up as if she was searching for a star in distant space. Sparkling was her ruby necklace. Hands covered with gloves of white.
Her hair, swaying finger size spiral kinky twist. Her brown eyes below arched brows gaze intense. Mysterious with a hint of youthful innocence.
Her skin a subtle sun seared copper cocoa butter complexion. Her body tone sculpted with curves of African predilection. The type of fine that makes you say damn as you wince.
A rolling tune from the keys of the piano initiated the intro. She began to undulate her arms as if rhythm was a melodic breeze.
Her movement deliberate, soft elegant with harmonic grace. I couldn’t avert my eyes from her angelic face. Wait… Is she smiling at me?
As if she read my mind her full lips revealed her gorgeous smile. I melted right in my chair.
She did a pirouette then a jete’ towards center stage. When her feet touch down the rest of the band join in to play with a little flair.
The more I heard the tune. It began to sound familiar. I mouthed the words to myself fixated on the debonair figure. “Sun in the sky, you know how I feel”
The trumpet and sax player blow rocking to and fro as the shade we as the shade wearing bass player nonchalantly pluck his cello. The drum rolls, “Breeze drifting on by, you know how I feel”
With the flick of Ana Red’s ivory laced wrist, she blew me a kiss of shimmering mist. And thru the haze I somehow appeared upon the stage
The crowd erupted in an applause of ooo’s and aww’s. I caught on after a brief pause. She placed her hand in mine and place my arm around her waist.
Our duet went from a slow Chicago two step, to a mild salsa that spun into a passionate bachata. My feet were moving like they were not my own.
Looking in her eyes, I gave her a dip then back up, holding her closely to my hip feeling it. I confidently grabbed the microphone
To Ana, “Stars when you shine” I bellowed, “You know how I feel” like a mass choir the audience echoed, as she twirled from my embrace
An instrumental interlude, ensued. Ana Reds choreography continued with a 90-degree kick, a head whip, hip twist and a finger wave
My feet were tapping, and head were shaking to the bands improvisation. I could feel the build up to a climax of the night
Towards me Ana did an agile cartwheel, cupped my chin that gave my body a chill. I reacquired the microphone and bellowed the final lines
With sass and swag, “it’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life.” The band goes silent, “It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day It’s a new life”
I lean forward then back while doing a jazz scat before finally singing with extra volume, “And I’m feeling good” The band reconvenes
The audience gives a standing ovation, I’m speckled with perspiration. Ana press her lips on my cheek and the fantasy is interrupted by this persistent beeping.
I was dreaming.
