The next night Wendy went to listen to Matt. This June evening needed to be focused on fun.

Cat and Mouse was comfortably crowded as Wendy stood at the entrance to the bar area. A man left a piano bar seat a few minutes later and Wendy quickly moved to it before anyone else could.

Matt looked at Wendy and they exchanged smiles. She ordered a glass of Chablis and listened as he played and sang, “Somewhere,” from The Westside Story. He seemed to sing a lot of Broadway tunes and Wendy loved them all.

The woman next to her was Alice. Wendy remembered hearing her name last time she came. Alice turned to Wendy and asked if she came often and when Wendy said this was her third time. “You should come more often. This place is super cool.”

“I think most bars are.”

“This one is special.”

“What makes you say that?”

“I’ve been coming here for months and there’s always a good time, if you catch my drift?” Alice giggled and placed a finger on her lips.

Wendy had no idea what Alice was hinting at. She supposed it had to do with the men who came in, or the affairs people were having, or something directly related to Matt.

Alice emphasized, “Oh, you know, the guys, the great drug parties, and just stuff.”

Wendy figured she was on something. Wendy only wanted quiet here and a chance to unwind. She nodded her head to the beat of the music.

At the end of the set, “Goin’ to the bathroom,” Alice announced to Wendy.

Matt moved around visiting with different people and came over to Wendy. “So, I’ve seen you here a few times now. What’s your name?”

“It’s Wendy.”

He smiled. “Well, glad you came back.”

“Thank you. I have to say your voice, your piano playing, and song choices are all great.”

“That’s bitchin’, which reminds me I’d better go back and demonstrate those qualities. Do you have a particular song choice?” he asked as he went around to the piano.

“I like Johnny Mathis’, “Wonderful! Wonderful.”

“A favorite of mine too.”

By the third note Wendy’s admiring eyes widened. What a beautiful rendition. She enjoyed it almost as much as Mathis’ version. She sat back in her seat as Alice returned to hers. Alice started to speak but Wendy put her finger to her lips and nodded toward Matt. Alice smiled in agreement.

Cat and Mouse, her secret escape from everyone and everything.

After his first set Wendy and Alice visited some more. Wendy thought she seemed a nice woman, although she couldn’t see them as friends. As soon as the conversation ended Alice went to the bathroom again. Wendy believed it was in the bathroom she dabbled in whatever drug she used.

Matt waved to Wendy as she put on her sweater. He mouthed thank you, and she took off. Although she had no romantic interest in him, he did make her tranquil. She drove home in an upbeat mood. The