Smiley Tie - 7
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This must be what it's like to walk onto a stage set, Anton thought as he crossed the room and people turned to look. The lighting seemed to intensify, to spotlight him. He nodded at the people who stopped to stare and smiled at the backs of those who turned away, unsure of what was the polite thing to do. His father stood out against the white backdrop of the area beside the bar where pictures were often shot with dignitaries. His face was hard, etched like weathered granite, and he made not one motion as Anton crossed the room, not on the sidelines, but through the middle of the dance floor, which was clean now, but empty. The thick silence of anticipation seemed to press in on him.
"A word, Sir?" Anton said. His voice strong and determined which was not how his knees were feeling.
"I thought you were asked to leave the premises."
"It seemed wrong to go without an apology."
"Didn't it seem wrong to throw the cake in the first place?"
"Throw the cake? You really think I stood up there in the balcony and chucked a piece of cake over the railing to see what would happen?"
"Given your track record, it wouldn’t surprise me. Why don't you explain it, then."
Anton chewed on his bottom lip. He'd backed himself into a corner. As long as the children were kept out of the picture their parents' jobs would stay out of jeopardy. Yet without them, there wasn't an explanation.
"It was an accident," Anton finally responded.
"There is no such thing." His father slammed his drink down on the bar. "There is carelessness, childishness, selfishness and sheer lack of respect for anyone or anything. That is your problem. I almost wish you had chucked the thing over the railing. A deliberate act might be better than the way you fail to pay attention. But now--"
His father closed the gap between them to inches. Anton stood his ground, all the while feeling the slickness of the floor beneath his socks.
"Now I'm going to get your attention. I want you to leave my house."
"And do what?"
"I don't care. Whatever you want to do. Just keep yourself and your foolish pranks and accidents away from me. Get out of my sight and stay out of my sight."
"But it wasn't his fault!" A determined little voice sounded from behind him, and Anton turned to find Pauline, her arms stiff at her side, her hands balled into white-knuckled fists. Behind her was Gertie, shrugging her shoulders and spreading her palms out in a helpless gesture.
"He's not careless and he's not selfish. He's kind and considerate and very, very brave," she continued, though the strength and determination was seeping from her voice. "I spilled the cake. It was my fault. Please don't be angry with him."
At that point the tears began welling up in her eyes. Anton went to her and stooped down.
"I thought we had a promise."
"I never promised. It wasn't right. I can't let you take the blame for something that was my fault."
"Let the girl speak, Anton. Why were you upstairs, young lady?"
"Don't you think this is something we could do in private, Dad?"
"Well the humiliation of my guests wasn't very private now, was it?"
What a horrible mess. Anton stared down at his feet and shook his head. He felt Pauline's hand slip into his, and she smiled up at him.
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Tune in tomorrow for the next episode of Smiley Tie.
