How long had it been? 4 years? She had moved on, to another man, another job and another state. Now 61, I had started a new job and was dating a petite 47 year old blonde from Minnesota so Kennedy's email caught me by surprise. It was near the holidays and she and her husband still had family in Indiana. The email stated she and Paul would be in town to visit their relatives. It went on to say she wouldn't mind having a drink like old times. I never could say no to her. I replied "text me when you get into town".
I was nervous, should I bring my girlfriend, would her husband be there? All I could think was my date and I would dress to impress.
It was the Wednesday before Christmas when I got a text. "Paul is having dinner with his children and can't make it for drinks. Can you still make it? Are you dating? I'd love to meet her."
I had already let Nicole read our previous emails and now showed her the recent text. "You two meet and chat over drinks. I've seen the pictures of her you kept. I trust you. Don't stay out too late, the roads are supposed to get slick. Love you"
"I love you too baby". I grabbed my coat gave her a kiss and was out.
It was cold for December. My car hardly got warm by the time I pulled into a parking spot at Seasons 52. I liked the high class feel of the bar and it's where I had met my love, Nicole. I sat at the bar; Mark said "hey bud, Bud Light?" He knew my name but maybe "bud" was just his shtick.
"I'm expecting a friend, could you have a Stagg Jr. on the rocks ready when you see a tall black woman come to the bar"
"Sure thing, bud." He said.
I was sitting facing the door when I saw Kennedy walk in. She was as I remembered her. Almost 50 but her skin was flawless. She had grown out her afro and there was more gray. Hey, I have gray but Nicole doesn't seem to care. Wearing a long black leather coat she was stunning. She saw me, smiled and took the seat beside me. Mark turned and handed her the bourbon.
"I hope it's ok." I said.
She took a sip, "Mmmm, takes the chill off." She flashed her signature big teeth smile. Before I could finish my light beer she was ordering another drink. She said she was happy out west.
I said "You look great, how's Paul?"
"He's fantastic! We are going on a cruise in January. We now get to do all of the things we couldn't when we were raising children." I saw the happiness in her eyes, something I hadn't seen in years. Another drink, "So where is your girlfriend tonight?"
"At her apartment, she knows what I'm doing this evening."
She leaned closer "Does she?" and smiled. I asked for another round. "Remember when you told me about your sex life?"