A Beautiful Instrument

58: Ringing in the New Year in Unimaginable Ways

As Amar walks away, Jeremy and I take our drinks and continue through the crowd, looking for familiar faces. Alexis and Manny decided to stay home for the night. Between the drinking and debauchery that Alexis couldn't engage in, it wasn't worth all the expense. They are saving diligently for the wedding and a house.

We see Bart and Ivy just finish talking to someone and we go over to say hi. But as they turn, they don't look happy. In fact, they look like they are arguing. I am ready to rush over, but Jeremy stops us. "We should give them a moment."

Grace approaches us. "Hi dears! How was Christmas?"

"Grace, Maxwell, hi!" We greet them like old friends. We share about our holidays, but I tune out of the conversation, watching Bart and Ivy over Grace's shoulder. I called Bart to wish him a Merry Christmas but that was the last time I talked with him. Everything sounded fine then.

Jeremy calls my attention. "Leigh? Maxwell asked how your hand is feeling after you have been able to rest it for a bit."

I smile. "Oh, it's much better now, thank you. I actually find if I don't play every few days, it stiffens up on me."

I see Ivy throw her drink in Bart's face, slam her empty glass down on a nearby table, and go storming away. Several people are staring at a dripping and ashamed Bart. I need to help him. "Excuse me, please."

I run over and hand Bart some napkins I snag on the way, taking his arm and guiding him out of the main hall to clean up. Bart protests my involvement. "Ana, I don't deserve your kindness right now. I handled something very poorly and really need to be left alone."

"Shut it, old man. I'm here now. What's going on?" I inquire. He looks at me. I can see guilt in his eyes. His face twists like he's going to say something and then he stops himself. I assure him. "Bart, I'm hear to listen, not judge."

"I have been cheating on Ivy."

I fight to keep my face neutral. Wow. "Okay. I take it she just found out?"

"I have been trying to end things with her since I realized I had unresolved feelings for this other woman. Basically the entire month of December has been hell." He admits.

"What do you mean trying to end things?" I ask curiously.

"I told her about my history with...this other woman. I told her that I thought I still had feelings for her after all this time. And I told her it wasn't fair of me to be with her if I felt these things for someone else." Bart confides his personal struggle.

"She didn't listen?"

Bart sighs. "She came up with every excuse. She said we couldn't break-up right then for the sake of the orchestra, and then she said we shouldn't ruin the holiday. And then it was this event. But the problem was I didn't resist my feelings for this other person. We had a lapse of judgment, which led to another, and..."

I halt him. "I get the picture."

He looks at me and then drops his eyes in shame. "On Christmas Eve, I told Ivy I was going out shopping, and instead I went and spent the day with this other woman.When I returned, I felt so guilty. I tried to put her from my mind for Ivy's sake, but I love her. I've loved her for a very long time now."

"Then why weren't you with her? Who is she?" I ponder.

"Analeigh..." The way he says my name I am struck by a realization.

"I know her. That's why you aren't saying anything. Oh God, it's not my mother, is it?" I gasp.

Bart actually laughs and I am flooded with relief. My mind goes back through the possibilities. I gasp when it becomes clear.