If you are looking for sexual content in this first chapter, I suggest you read it as a preamble for the next chapter when we truly meet...
I had always hated these singles events; I have been divorced for over three years now and haven't had any luck at finding a girlfriend, let alone a life companion. That is what I felt in my life – a void left by the traitorous way my ex had left me for a much younger man. It turned out that they decided to make love in my house and in our bed when I was out of town and when I arrived home early (hoping to rekindle some of the impetuousness of our youth), I instead found my wife blowing a man 15 years her junior.
Now, at 50 and after a 23 marriage, I find myself lonely and desperate. This is a vulnerable place to be in and I am very nervous about what might happen if I rush into a relationship on the rebound. This explains my years away from the dating game – hell, I didn't even remember the dating game!
In any case, a friend at work recommended this Singles group since he himself had joined it and after only a few weeks had found his perfect soul mate. I had to admit that Joe and Carol were ideal for each other and very much in love. And they were also both in their middle years (as I consider myself to be).
Let me tell you about myself. At 50, I am about 6 ft tall and weigh about 170 lbs. Somewhat slim but with the start of a small roll around the belly – I don't exercise as well as I should. I work as an accountant (not as dull as it sounds) in a small friendly company. I have almost pure white hair and beard, both kept cross-cropped by regular visits to my hairdresser. Not a hunk by any means but for the right person, it may do.
The singles event was to be held over a long weekend in the summer and since I had some overtime accumulated, I took and extra day at each end to allow for travel and sightseeing in the area (on the other side of the state) since I hadn't been there and heard there was much to see. Even if the event was a bust, I would at least get a short holiday - much needed – out of it.
I arrived late (I had to finish a project at work) the first day and registered at the table in the lobby. It was my first time so I was surprised when they posed me against a backdrop and took a Polaroid picture that went up on a large corkboard with a few details from my sign in sheet. When I glanced over the other photos there, I was amazed at the variety, both in age and appearance, of the attendees. Some looked pretty strange and others exuded a quiet desperation. One guy had the worst hairpiece I had ever seen and I had a hard time keeping a straight face. After all, I was here too.
Taking the weekend timetable with me, I checked into the hotel and went up to my room. The first agenda item was a BBQ on the back lawn of the hotel – sort of a time to mingle informally and get to know the other people. It was just starting.
I am an introvert by nature and still feeling bruised by the divorce even three years later so wasn't all that keen on blending. I kept asking myself what the hell I was thinking about – I wasn't ready for this! But having paid the fairly rich price for the weekend, I figured I had better give it a try.
I changed into casual slacks (my legs aren't that pretty and I figured I didn't think anyone was quite ready for them on first meeting) and a cool short-sleeved shirt. Grabbing my room key card, I headed down the hall to the elevator. Several others – mostly middle-aged women with lots of makeup – were waiting and gave me the eye. I greeted them as politely as I could although I felt like a slab of meat at the butcher under their scrutiny.
On the back lawn, several BBQ's had been set up and the smell of hamburgers, smokies, salmon and shishkabab tantalized the taste buds. I guess my hunger would help to dissipate some of my nervousness and I found it easier to chat with others in the line for food. As I moved along the salad table and other goodies, I found the bad rug guy right beside me. For some reason, he must have thought my white hair gave us some degree of closeness and security. I moved away as soon as possible and took my food to an empty corner table.