This is a work of complete fiction about two mature adults who meet by chance. All characters are well over 18. The people are fictional but the location is real.
*
It was a Thursday in mid-September and fall had come to the mountains of Alberta. Banff was full of late season tourist who had come to get the last of the season before the winter snows descended and skiers took over from the hikers etc.
Mid-afternoon at the RIMROCK HOTEL, definitely an upscale establishment in Banff, there was a line waiting to check in. Included in this line were an attractive woman who seemed to be in her early 50's standing by herself. To the interested observer, she possessed a lovely figure especially for a person of her age, not overweight but certainly with ample feminine charms to turn a person's eye. Her figure complimented by a head of silver hair made it hard to not notice her. She stood out not only because of her appearance but also that she was the only woman waiting without a companion.
Behind her was a gentleman, once again at least to the casual observer alone. He was tall and slender and if one was to guess was likely in his early 60's. He was fashionably dressed and his full head of hair was a bit longer than the average man of his age but combined with a nicely tailored double breasted blue blazer and complimenting camel slacks made him would could have been considered a model.
The line was moving forward slowly and these two inevitably struck up a conversation. Questions centered on "Where are you from" and "have you stayed here before dominated the interchange. It was not too personal and then each was called to the desk to complete their check in details. As the bellhops took their bags and directed them to the elevators, they smiled and wished each other a good evening.
About 7:30 PM, our two strangers found themselves once again standing one behind the other, this time at the entrance to the Primrose Dining Room, the premier dining facility in this hotel. She was dressed elegantly in a black skirt that ended just above the knees and a gray Chinese silk jacket over a black mock turtleneck top. He had on a black pin striped suit with a white starched shirt open at the neck. The Maitre'D asked the lady "Do you have a reservation mam?"
She replied, "No, this trip was a bit spur of the moment and I did not anticipate that you would be as busy as you obviously are."
The Maitre'D replied, I am sorry but I cannot seat you for at least an hour. We are fully booked tonight. You could eat in the lounge if you wish.
Before she could reply, our debonair gentleman spoke up, "Mam, I am dining alone and I am sure this gentleman can find us a table that will accommodate two if you would care to join me."
After a moment's hesitation our heroine inclined her head and said, "That is most kind sir; I appreciate your offer and will accept as long as you let me buy you a drink and also pay my own way."
There was a chuckle come from our hero who then said, "We can negotiate later but why don't we allow this gentleman to show us to our table." With that they followed the Maitre'D and he led them to a table by the window looking down the valley to downtown Banff. After they had sat, the gentleman said, "We should introduce ourselves, I am Russ from Spokane."
The lady replied, "I am Mary Ann from Calgary; nice to meet you Russ". A broad smile crossed her face. "It seems to me as if we were destined to meet in the line at the check in counter. Otherwise I would be sitting in the lounge."
Russ replied, "I only hope that when our dinner is complete and we say goodnight that you still feel it fortuitous that we met. If I can be so bold, what brings an attractive woman such as yourself to Banff?"
Mary Ann replied, "That is an interesting question; one that I have been asking myself. A year ago my husband had an aneurism and died suddenly. I went through the normal stages of mourning starting with shock and denial going to guilt and anger before having to deal with depression and then arriving at acceptance. This last stage, acceptance only came to an end when I said to myself, "there is nothing you could have done; you did not cause Ken to die. Get over it.' It was then I decided to get away for a few days and hiking in the Rockies seemed like good therapy. What about you?"
Russ replied, "First let me offer my condolences. While I did not know your husband I would say he was a lucky man to have a wife as attractive and personable as you."
"My situation is less tragic. After 30 years of marriage, my wife left me for a man young enough to be her son, a tennis pro. I realize that her unhappiness in our marriage stemmed in large part from my at times heavy work schedule. I am a lawyer practicing criminal law and at the risk of sounding immodest have developed a reputation in western Washington and Oregon when cases involve serious crimes such as murder and rape. Especially in a murder case, as one approaches a trial date and during a trial, the lead lawyer needs to be fully committed in always and families tend to play second fiddle during such periods. I never tried to deny the impact that fact. At the same time, I was of the belief that Susan understood, especially after all those years of marriage. Also, we had a lifestyle that most would be envious of; big house; vacation property in Palm Desert that she and her friends used if I was tied up as well as trips to Europe and Hawaii between trials. It was in Palm Desert that Susan and her 'toy boy" met. I didn't resort to therapy, just took on another trial and buried myself in defending my client. That trial ended last Friday and I decided to take off a few days in somewhere I had never been before. A friend told me about this establishment and highly recommended it as somewhere I should consider so here I am until Sunday. I hope a few days of hiking in the mountains will help."