A Classical Piece - by Kolya

“Well darling, are we ready to go to the concert yet?”

“Not quite dearest.”

“Hurry now, we’ll be late.”

“We have to wait for your sister as well you know.”

“I know, but I’ve already accounted for that time, and we’re running out.”

“Did she find an escort this time Apollo?”

“Nope.  And you know that is just how she likes it.”

“Oh! But how can it be that such a fair young woman can parade the streets of Athens without so much as an escort!  It is outrageous.”

The gentleman, Sir Apollo just nodded.  Delphi always went on and on about his sister’s determination to end an old maid.  Inside, he knew his sister was only so stubborn because his wife was so obnoxious and pushy at times.  It wasn’t her fault.  She meant well.

His wife came made her grand appearance.  The hat on her head was new as of yesterday, and she couldn’t wait to show it off.

Off they went in the four-horse buggy. Up and down the streets towards the concert hall. 

The buggy stopped outside a row of fine apartments.  The attendant went to go fetch the gentleman’s sister.   Lady Artemis stepped into the carriage.  Her gown was a sparkling silver.

"Come boy."

The little terrier hopped into the carriage after them, and quickly onto his mistress’s lap.  Away they went to the concert hall.

Sir Apollo frowned as soon as his wife took a breath inward.  Out came a somewhat passive-aggressive rant about how proper ladies had handsome young men at their sides, and how many excellent and worthy young men Athen’s had to offer.

Lady Artemis just laughed.  Unaffected by her sister-in-law’s jibes. 

At last they made it to the concert hall. And Delphi’s remarks were turned upon the other ladies.

“Oh my stars! What is Andromeda wearing?  Who does she think she is!  She is a married woman, not Aphrodite!   And dear me, Demeter looks like she’s more than just a little upset about her daughter’s recent engagement.  I would be too if my husband didn’t tell me of his scheming arrangements.”

“Fortunately,”  Sir Apollo interrupted, “Your husband has no daughter’s to give away in any such fashion my dear.  You have nothing to fear from me.”

Delphi smiled and her eyes sparkled as she gazed lovingly at her husband, “Oh yes, darling.  But of course, everything you do is so agreeable.”

“Look, Eros and his bride,  why don’t you go and say hello?”  Lady Artemis put in.

“It is!  Oh isn’t she stunning!  I think I shall.”

As soon as she had left, Sir Apollo took the opportunity to apologize.  “I am sorry Artemis, I promise she means well.”

“I know.” She replied calmly.

He was surprised.

“After all, it was not her fault Orion left me, now, was it?”

It was the most spiteful thing he had ever heard his sister say.  And she said it so calmly.

“It is beginning. Shall we?”

The concert was devoted to the Iliad.  The movements of the music were as strong and violent as the battle itself seemed. 

More so for the gentleman Apollo, he had not realized his sister held him in such contempt. In retrospect, what he had done had been very petty, but there was no going back.  And dear Artemis was so sweet, it cut even deeper.

So there he sat.  Sweating bullets, his wife was seated between him and his sister.  That was not a good thing.  If Delphi kept up, and Artemis told her what happened, his dearest wife would never forgive him.  She did not conceal or repress her emotions well.

The music continued into a calmer movement, still he was as tense as a bowstring.  Thus far, his ingenious idea for a night out had not gone at all the way he had planned.

The first segment neared a close with a small finale, and the intermission began.  Ironically, the lights fading in filled him with dread.

He did not think Artemis would say much to Delphi, but there was not telling what kind of punishment she had in store for him.