Zorell watched as Leland walked down the street and out of sight. She looked sad seeing how depressed he was. He was a good friend and she didn't want to see him unhappy. She felt so helpless knowing that there was nothing she could really do. She didn't realize that she was still looking out the window when Gavin opened his mouth to speak. She was so much in a daze that she didn't hear him at first.

"Zorell, are you in there?" he asked but she didn't respond. "Beautiful lady," he practically sang and touched her hand. That made her come back to Earth.

"Sorry," she said just as their food was brought to the table. "I'm just worried about Leland."

"Alright," he said, and his playful demeanor changed. It reminded her of the way he acted when Mister Zapher kissed her hand. "You like that fella, don't you?"

"He's my best friend's brother," she said and looked down at her food. "Of course, I like him."

"You know he's in love with Shanee," he said, and she looked up confused.

"I know that," she said and rolled her eyes at him. "He's family, and even though we're not blood related he is only a friend."

"Are you sure about that?" he asked, and she burst out laughing which confused Gavin. "What's so funny?"

"You are," she said still laughing. "You sound like a jealous lover." He started laughing too, but she felt that had been serious... at least at first. "Maybe we should just eat."

"That's a good idea," Gavin said and took a bite of the pasta dish. "Mmmm... This isn't half bad."

Zorell took the cue and tasted some and a smile perked on her face. Once she was done swallowing she said, "This is delicious. It couldn't be any better if I made it myself."

"Do you cook?" he asked, looking like he didn't believe it.

"Of course, I cook," she said and took another bite. She washed it down with the glass of grape juice sitting next to her plate. "I know how to do a lot of things." She looked over at the piano again. She hadn't played in a while, and not until now did she realize that she missed it.

"Like what?" he said and touched her hand. She wasn't expecting it and felt nervous sitting there trying to think of what to say.

Then it hit her. "I can play the piano," she said and he seemed to perk up.

"I think I'd like to hear that some time," he said and looked behind her. She turned around, and there was that piano. Somehow it seemed to be calling her, but there were too many people in this place. She never performed for anyone but family and friends. "Why not now?"

"Well, I'm a little out of practice," she said in an effort to get out of it.

"Are you afraid to play in front of people?" he asked with that slickness returning to his voice. Was he challenging her, daring her to do something she was afraid to do.

"Back home I was the best piano player around, but that was the country," she said trying to get out of it. He hoped he would drop the whole thing.

"Prove it," he said and sat back in his chair. That hope had been shot to hell. It's not that she didn't want to play; it's just that she suffered from stage fright. She convinced herself that she couldn't be nearly as good as any city musicians. "Come on, try ole Zaph's piano out."

"Alright, as long as we're allowed to use it," she said, still trying to hesitate in taking on his challenge.

"Zapher doesn't care, so go on," he said, and she hesitantly got up out of her seat and walked over to the piano.

She looked back to see Gavin as waiting eagerly anticipating for her to honor him with her talent. She sat on the piano bench and tested the keys. They had a nice sound to them. She started with a little Chopin, and after about ten seconds of playing she forgot about the people in the café and played like she did back home when her father wasn't around to criticize her.

Once she finished the piece, she heard clapping from some of the people were eating their lunches. They must have enjoyed her playing because one man was cheering, and she turned around and realized that it was Gavin.

"I stand in awe of your beautiful talent," he said as he stood up and bowed. He walked slowing up to the piano bench she was sitting on. "Just one thing..." he let the statement trail off which confused her.

"What would that be?" she asked and stood up from the bench.

"Well, you play Chopin superbly, but what about something more... modern?" he asked and thought about it. "You know some modern music, don't you?"

"Like what, jazz?" she asked and he nodded. "Well, I happen to be the best jazz player you have ever seen." 

https://youtu.be/dlhHQcqbyBM

He gave out a chuckle, and she couldn't blame him since was over-exaggerating a bit. "I'm sure," he said barely containing himself. She sat down at the piano again and thought about what to play.

The right song hit her and her fingers hit the keys and a glorious sound came out of the piano. The patrons of the small café perked up, one man even grabbing the woman sitting next to him with his feet moving to the music. Before long everyone was dancing, and Gavin took to singing some made up words, or what she thought was made up words to the instrumental piece that she was playing.

She was smiling and laughing at the way he was acting and forgot for a moment that she was raised to be a proper sophisticated young lady and let herself have a good time. She was also impressed that Gavin had such a good voice, and after the second verse joined in on the chorus. Once the song was done, everyone in the place seemed to come alive.

Both Gavin and Zorell was laughing and carrying on. Zorell was feeling hungry and realized she hadn't completely finished her lunch. She sat down at the table and started in again.

"You're very good at that piano," Gavin said, and Zorell blushed not having anyone but her brother say that he liked her playing.

"I'm not a professional or anything," she said and washed down the last of her food with what was left in her glass.

"You could have fooled me," he said and sat back in his chair. "I was thinking of hiring you for my club."

"You have a club?" she asked, acting like she didn't believe it.

"You could say that," he said and pulled out a cigarette. He was about to light it when she gave him a disapproving look. He put the cigarette back in his back pocket and took a gulp of his drink.

"Is it a club or a speakeasy?" she asked, saying the last word quietly.

Everyone knew about speakeasies but never publicly talked about them. Even the authorities knew about those places and how they illegally sold alcohol to its patrons. There was also singing and dancing and others things that happened there, things her father said to be ungodly and sinful.

"It's a club, sweet lady, and that's all I'm going to say," he said and she laughed. "So, would you like to be my piano player?"

"No, I already have a job," she said and crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm a nurse at Harden Hospital...starting tomorrow."

"Oh really, so how is your bedside manner?" he asked, and she could see that he was flirting with her again.

"You better hope that you never have to find out," she said and he laughed.

"Well, if it ever happens that I wind up in that hospital of yours, I hope I get you for a nurse," he said, and Mister Zapher came to the table at that moment.

"So, my taste testers, what is the verdict on the dish?" he asked. He looked as hyper as ever. Zorell wondered if he was just naturally over-exuberant, or if this was just that he was anxious about what their opinion was about the food.

"It was superb, Zaph," Gavin said which, made the old man smile.

"Oh, I'm so glad, and the lady?" he asked after turning to Zorell.

"It was wonderful," she said with a smile. "I would like to come back sometime and have it again."

"You're are welcome any time, and I'd like to thank you for the entertainment. This place hasn't been so lively since my wife's birthday party last month."

"Then perhaps, I'll have my next birthday party here," she said as Mister Zapher laid the check on the table. Gavin took it and pulled a bill out of his pocket.

"I got this," he said and she saw that he paid the bill for lunch.

"I can't have you paying for my lunch too," she said and stood up and tried to reach into her purse for some money.

"No, I insist," he said, raising his hand in front of her. "After that performance, ole Zaph should be paying us." Gavin threw him a look which made him roll his eyes.

"Oh, alright, Mister Lorio," Mister Zapher said, looking like he was about to have a temper tantrum. He balled up the bill he gave and put it in his hand. Gavin laughed as he stuffed it in his pocket. He took Zorell's hand and led her out of the café.

That's it for this part, but there's more coming. Zorell is going to be moving out of Leland's place, which will make Gavin very happy if he expects to court her, but her new place may not be the ideal place the romance a girl.