The highest point of the evening came when we were all invited to the main dining room, the Empire Room, where a cafe orchestra was entertaining diners and dancers.
The beauty and sophistication of the scene overwhelmed Anna and me. This was the kind of atmosphere that Cary Grant and Carol Lombard frequented. Here was the sophistication of the rich. This was their world. Just for a brief time Anna and I would live in this atmosphere and feel in this atmosphere. How absolutely heavenly it was for us to dance to the band playing music made for lovers.
This was not the place for the 'lindy hop'. Some swing was played and a few of the dancing couples wiggled a little bit; but it was all gliding, not jumping. The orchestra people were all dressed in formal clothes. The leader was very handsome and very slick. The girl singer was stunning in her beautiful, full and formal gown.
Anna and I could not be anything but joyous. We danced with each other only. No one else would be welcome.
I whispered as we danced the first song, "Anna, just dance with me the whole time."
"John, You know I would, even if you didn't ask. This is special tonight."
The songs were beautiful. Of course they all sang of love, and some sang of spring. This was the peak of every romantic element: a beautiful spring; a divine setting with divine music; and two young people brought together by the most tender of feelings.
Then it happened. One of the most wonderful moments we would ever know. As I held her in my arms, we listened and moved to the siren call of I Didn't Know What Time It Was. Gliding to the music, we sang softly to the words of the song:I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TIME IT WAS
I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too.
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was,
And I'll say it was grand.
Grand to be alive, to be young, to be mad,
To be yours alone.
Grand to see you face, feel your touch,
Hear your voice say, I'm all your own."
I didn't know what year it was, life was no prize.
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes.
I'm wise and I know what time it is now.
Later, after the coach drove us home, I sat on the porch steps while she stood very close to me and whispered, " John, you remind me so much of my brother. I know you don't like him much, but he has a lot of good things about him."
"Yes, I see."
"He is so much fun and has a sense of humor like you do. Do you know what I mean."
"Sure."
"John I think I love you."
We both knew how we felt. But young people don't usually speak so frankly and openly. Anna never wasted words. This was from her heart and she meant it. My emotions were at the top of their reach; they ran all over me. I felt a shiver. God this was heaven.
Fighting down the rise of feelings I choked and said, "Anna I love you. From the very beginning … I think."
We held close. We didn't say anything for some time. I should have kissed her then. I should have. I felt a rising tide of her physical desirability. I fought it. But I shouldn't have.