This is part two of the Ellen and Bob story, a continuation of "The Ice Queen Cometh".
The lake "cabin" was not much to look at. While the rest of the houses on the lake had become upscale over the years as city dwellers had snapped up prime lots and increased the real estate value, the cabin had remained very dated and stood out from the rest of the surroundings. A few years ago, three college buddies had decided that instead of paying rent in the city, they would buy a 'fixer-upper' lake house. Bob, the architect, was the planner, David had an eye for money, and Steve had some good local connections.
They had built a large deck half covered, half open, with the open part essentially a large dock on the lake. Each housemate had a bedroom connected to the enclosed deck, providing a semi-private area that overlooked the lake. Bob enhanced his part of the deck with insulation, outdoor wood siding and a stone natural gas fireplace. Distressed wide plank flooring almost doubled the space in his small bedroom.
While the outside, with its low-pitched roof and outdated design, did not fit in with the neighbors,' they had remodeled the inside and enjoyed their upscale bachelor house. They had loose rules about guests and overnight stays. For the most part, they got along well, and while it was not 'a party house', they agreed to entertain from time to time since they all traveled in much the same circles.
Bob seemed to be the only confirmed bachelor, but his friends had long-term serious relationships. He wondered what would happen when they probably got married next year. Bob hoped they wouldn't sell it but would move and use the house as a vacation or lake getaway.
They agreed to have four standing parties each year, New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Of course, the summer parties were popular with everyone but the New Year's Eve' gala' was also well attended. This year, they wanted to impress their girlfriends and decided to make New Year's a formal party. They all agreed to wear tuxes, and everyone would dress accordingly.
If everything went according to plan, the girlfriends would get their much-anticipated rings that night. To be sure they would be there to witness the event, Bob invited the couples' best friends and siblings. Since Bob wasn't seeing anyone, he wasn't as excited as the others but went along with the plan.
The girlfriends were always frustratingly trying to set Bob up with the latest friend/sister/coworker they could find. He had shot down so many that they gave up and decided he could be picky on his own. "Finally," he thought, "this was one time they aren't going to foist a girlfriend on me."
It's not that Bob had never had a girlfriend. He had been involved in a long-term relationship which he was confident would go the distance. Instead, she got involved with her work and decided it was more important than a relationship. The last he heard, she had taken an overseas assignment and was dating her boss. Devastated, it had been over a year since he had seen anyone else. On return from a West Coast trip last month, he seemed distant to everyone.
December 31st had been hectic with food preparation, decorations, and the standard cleaning the place needed every time they had an event. People started to stream in, and there was a good mix of couples and singles. They had a great sound system but were careful to keep the noise down; the neighbors tended to be suspicious of anything that went on at the 'bachelor pad,' and the revelers didn't want to give them any excuse to call the cops.
After a couple of hours, Bob was tired of the chit-chat and small talk and retired to his bedroom. He went out to the deck, came in to start the fireplace, and made a vodka martini from his private stock. He was enjoying his alone time when the door opened.
What looked like a female frame was silhouetted by the hallway light. "I'm sorry if I am crashing, but they said I could put my jacket here." The voice sounded familiar; he couldn't quite place it. The room was dark except for the light from the fireplace, and neither could see the other's face. "I was late and couldn't find the place," she explained.
"The other bedroom is the one with the coats but that's ok, you can put it on the bed." Usually, the bedrooms were off-limits to guests, but he forgot to lock his door when he came in for a break from the action. "Who are you with?" He asked.
"My sister Eve has been going out with David for a LONG time," she said. "I came alone and don't typically go to parties, but I got an email from someone named Bob who said I should try to make it to this one; it may be special."
"That's me. You must be the one they call the Librarian," he said.
In an irritated voice, she replied, "I hate that nickname. I'm not a Librarian. I prefer reading and learning rather than spending time at parties like this."
"I understand. I'm the same way; I wanted a break from everything, so I'm here. I'm sorry about the Librarian thing. I didn't mean to offend you."
She moved into the light a little. She was dressed in a classic 'little black dress,' not revealing nearly as much as the women at the party. She had a natural beauty enhanced by the fire's light. She, too, thought the voice in the darkness was familiar. As his eyes adjusted to the flickering light, he could see her face, and it seemed like time had stopped.
"Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walked into mine."
