We meet at our old high school – a place where no one will expect us, and one we both know. It's the middle of July, so there's no one at the school, and there wouldn't be anyone there anyways, at the time we're there. By the time I make it to Albuquerque after the drive from Denver, it's nearing 5:00 in the evening. We meet in the parking lot, quite familiar to both of us, although they've made some changes to the area. Looks like a new fence, new letters on the building, and they've re-paved the parking lot. Not big changes, but it looks less ghetto than it used to.
I pull into the parking lot, and I see you've already arrived. You're sitting on the hood of your car in khaki shorts, a navy blue t-shirt, and sandals. Your hair is blowing a little in the breeze, and a warm feeling washes over me just seeing you again. There's nothing like seeing my best friend for the first time in years.
I park next to you, the butterflies beginning to flutter in my stomach. I always have butterflies when I know I'm going to see you. Kind of ironic, because you're the one person I'm most comfortable with. I catch your eye after I turn off the car. You have a little grin on your face that's only a hint of the weekend you have planned. Even from the distance we are apart, I can see that you've grown since I saw you last. You've put on a lot of muscle, making your arms beautifully built. Your arms, legs, and face are a gorgeous bronze color you've gotten from the summer Albuquerque sun. Your grin turns into a welcoming smile when I step out of the car. I'm wearing a white fitted top with no bra – they're so uncomfortable to travel in – and a pair of short, but not too short, denim shorts. I've got my hair up in a messy pony tail, just enough to keep it off my neck while I was driving. I try to play it cool, but I have to give in and run over to where you're sitting. The hug that follows lasts at least five minutes. We have missed one another so much that we don't want to let go. There have been so many times in the last few years that I've longed for your comfort, your touch, your therapeutic hugs – I want to catch it all up now.
Finally, our hug breaks and I ask if we can go check into the hotel first so that I can freshen up a bit. It's been a long drive, and I have a nicer outfit I'd like to put on before dinner. We're staying at the courtyard Marriott for the weekend. We talked about staying somewhere cheap, but ended up deciding to splurge to make the weekend nice. I follow you to the hotel – it's one I've always wanted to stay at. Its outside has always been intriguing to me, as it actually looks like it belongs in New Mexico. Rather than a boring concrete building, it's got brown stucco and a notched roof, like some of the old Santa Fe houses. It will definitely be a good weekend.
We check into the hotel and make our way up to the room. You follow me off the elevator and say, "It's room number 210." I find the room and try to get out of the way so you can open the door, but you surprise me. Your left hand grabs my right hip and pushes my back against the door of the room. I giggle, and you smile that beautiful smile of yours. You reach with your right hand to unlock the door, and bring your face closer to mine. I can feel your breath on my lips, and you brush my mouth with yours ever so lightly. We give each other knowing smiles and the door opens behind me.
The hotel room is exquisite. You've booked a suite, so there is a living area with a couch and television, and a coffee table with a dozen roses placed in the middle. There's also a kitchen, with full amenities – a refrigerator you've stocked with food for the weekend, including the makings for hot fudge sundaes, my favorite. I flash you a smile and walk into the bedroom to put my things away. I hear you doing something in the kitchen, and a few moments later you come into the bedroom with two glasses of white wine. It's nice to relax with you. We lie down on the bed and drink our wine while catching up on the latest in our lives. I finish my wine quickly, feeling its effects already; I've always been a lightweight. I set the glass down gently on the bedside table and snuggle in closer to you. I've always loved being held by you. We lie on the bed for what seems like hours, my head on your arm and our two available hands entwined.