“Michael is having some financial issues with Luciano’s. I think they are both just going through a hard time. I know them, though; they’ll get through it.” He spins me around in a little dance when we reach the front door. “But tonight is all about you and me. I will have the most beautiful woman in the room by my side. I can’t wait to show off my wife.”
Not allowing myself to overthink or get myself worked up, I think of nothing else but what a fun time Christopher and I will have. Dr. Stevens told me in our session today to not always plan for the worst. To not think something bad will happen. If I focus on the good and the light, then I’ll be able to fight off the bad and the darkness.
I am determined to listen.
My very first party, and although the number of people attending is more than Christopher is comfortable with for both of us, he’s been nothing but supportive and encouraging of me attending. I feel welcomed and not a burden. I actually feel Christopher is proud to have me by his side.
When we walk into the building in what he tells me is in Manhattan, I’m surprised to see how large it is and even more shocked to find out the owner has converted several floors into his home. The party is on the main penthouse level, but we start on the first level and leave our coats in a room bigger than the schoolhouse of Hallelujah Junction. I thought Louisa’s house was large, but it’s nothing in comparison to where we are now.
“If you ever feel uncomfortable or want to leave, you just tell me. We’ll leave whenever you want to,” Christopher says as we choose to take the stairs to the penthouse rather than waiting for the elevator with some other guests.
“I don’t want you to worry about me,” I say. “I’ll be fine. I want you to be able to network and do what you need to do for your career.” I reach for his hand and squeeze it. “I’m a big girl. I can handle myself. I need to start sometime if I want to be married to the famous Rolling Stone photographer who is in such demand.”
Christopher rolls his eyes as he opens the door to the party. The sound is intense at first, but I quickly shake off any nerves it causes.
“Let’s get a drink,” he says, leading me hand in hand to a bar near a huge floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the entire city. The lights of the skyline and all the buildings are absolutely stunning and nearly take my breath away. “Yeah, this place has one of the best views in New York.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s gorgeous.” I look around the penthouse as Christopher orders our drinks and soak in the opulence.
All the furniture is white, and the only color is in the bright artwork hanging on the walls. Huge chandeliers hang from above that sparkle right along with the city views that master the room, since huge windows surround the entire penthouse. Music is playing faintly, but the constant hum of the people milling around really creates the melody of the room. There are so many faces I don’t recognize, and yet no one seems to pay any attention to Christopher and me. We’re blending in with everyone else, which is odd but refreshing. I’m so used to having all eyes on me, but right now, at this party, they’re anything but.
“No one is staring,” I tell Christopher as he hands me a glass of white wine.
“Yeah, the one nice thing about attending parties of this caliber is the people in the room are celebrities, power players, socialites, criminals, or politicians. Everyone has their own story and their own spotlight. We are just another star shimmering in the sky here.”
“I like it.”
We spend the next couple of hours moving from one grouping of people to the next. I never realized just how charming and personable Christopher is, but he truly impresses me with his ability to work a room, never once leaving my side or making me feel like I didn’t belong. And he was right in saying we were just another star in a sky full of them. Aside from an occasional question or mention of how they heard of me, the topic of conversation seemed to stay away from my former life and my serial killer father.
I’m pleasantly surprised when I see Christina at the party. Last I spoke to her, she wasn’t sure if she and Michael would be attending. She didn’t want to come without him, and she wasn’t sure if he’d be able to break free from the restaurant.
Christopher is still in heavy conversation with a man about stocks or something of that nature, so I politely excuse myself for a minute and walk over to my friend.