Two Months After The Divorce

This was a frog far too glamorous for the known world. Aja, in a sequined gown, long pearl necklace, and a feather boa wrapped over her neck, sashayed into the pond with a diva's determination and grace. She knew that Clark would be at the Gala with another woman -- perhaps a younger woman -- but Aja wasn't attending the event to be intimidated: she was attending to look good and have fun.

Time seemed to stop as Aja climbed down the rocks into the ballroom. Men who brought their wives as dates embarrassed themselves by staring too long at Aja's unimaginable beauty. The caterers had difficulty pouring wine completely into glasses. The sax player in the swing band got distracted and nearly ruined his solo. The rhythm section thought he was having a stroke until they caught their own glimpse of Aja, and their rendition of "Pennsylvania 6-5000" quickly fell apart to nothing. With the room suddenly silent, Aja embraced the full attention of every dinner guest in attendance gazing at her with the same awe they would reserve for a first meeting with God.

But where was Clark?

Aja took her time getting to the bottom of the rocks, soaking in the limelight, preparing for the unmitigated attention of drooling and bumbling men, when she heard footsteps from the top of the rocks behind her. As fixated as everyone was on Aja, people could not help but notice Clark entering the ballroom, locking arms with a young woman, almost a tadpole, wearing an outfit identical to Aja's. When Aja finally turned to see who was there, she made a silent gasp. Clark looked around, assuming he and his date were the cause of the room's stunned engrossment. He smiled, removed his sunglasses, and addressed the room with a confident smile. "Well, Helloooo, everybody."

The details of Aja and Clark's romantic demise was well-known in various social circles, and the moment after he noticed a beautiful woman dressed similarly to his date in the shadows near the bottom of the rocks, he heard the sound of someone booing. Other guests started booing as well, and what began as a spattering of disapproval quickly became a congregation of unanimous condemnation. How dare she compete with Aja, they thought, and how dare he show his face. Bewildered, Clark had no choice but to turn around and bolt, leaving behind his young date who followed after him.

After they were gone, the booing stopped. The band began a new song. Aja took the final step to the ground floor of the ballroom, to be greeted by an eager fellow in a white tuxedo who asked her if she'd like to dance. She told him, "Yes. Yes, I would."