Sarah made the plane in good time. The ticket said 'business class'. The seminar organizers had made all arrangements, and it seemed they wanted their presenters in a good frame of mind. "A nice touch," she said to herself as she settled in with her manuscript in her lap and a glass of champagne her hand.
Arrival
The hotel room also turned out to be first class. After she had checked in, Sarah went down for dinner, wearing her most authoritative outfit. The presenters were dining together that first evening, so they could get to know one another. There were five presenters, each an expert in one field or another. She took inventory: an ordinary looking married couple, a brash balding fellow, a compact bright young blond woman, full of life and self and a 'tanned tennis instructor'. It was obvious that the blond found him interesting. He seemed to be quietly amused by her attention, neither responding to nor repelling her advances. Sarah participated in the small talk at the table.
After the dinner and ensuing meeting, she made her way to the bar for a nightcap. She was almost through when she was joined by the blonde's prey.
"Did you make a clean get away?" she smiled at him.
"I hope so," he said earnestly, looking over his shoulder. " Can I buy you a drink?"
She decided it would be rude to leave at that point, so she accepted. Peter insisted they sit at a table in the darkest corner. "So I won't be seen by you know who."
Peter was divorced with two children who lived with his ex wife. He talked about his kids. He left Sarah with the impression that he was a nice gentle fellow.
Day One
An Unusual Birthday Gift.
When she came down for breakfast the next morning, she saw him at a table with young miss bubbly. Sarah smiled and nodded slightly to him. He rolled his eyes as his companion chatted on. Sarah went to the table where the other 3 presenters sat.
Sarah led three seminars that day, the one after the other. There were over three hundred attending the conference, and everyone was full of questions. The day went quickly. When dinnertime came around she was tired and headed for her room to have a luxurious Jacuzzi tub bath. She ordered up a light meal from room service. Then she had a nap.
Later in the evening she felt sociable again and went down to the bar. Peter was in the same dark corner nursing a drink. He saw her and waved her over. She ordered a Martini from a passing waiter, and made for his table. "So you managed to escape?" she asked him as she sat down.
"I think she has finally given up," he said. "She likes to dance. I don't. So she asked George, and he was more than willing it seems."
"Lucky George," Sarah observed.
"I suppose so," he answered.
They sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. It was not an awkward silence. "It is remarkable how comfortable he is to be with." Sarah thought.
"Would you care for another drink?" Peter asked suddenly. Sarah looked at her glass. It was empty.
He signalled for the waiter.
"Nice ring," he observed as they raised their glasses and toasted each other.
"It was a birthday present from my husband."
"You two have a pretty good relationship, then?" he asked.
"Very much so. We have shared many years of harmonious living. Well, the same number of years of conflict... but as they say, one marries for the conflict."
"That's what causes growth in the relationship," she added when she saw him raise his eyebrows questioningly. "Well, that is to say, the resolving of the conflicts."
"I never thought of it that way," he replied.
"Didn't the conflicts in your marriage enrich your relationship?" she asked.
"Perhaps," he replied slowly. "Although after she got religion, there certainly wasn't any growing together. There was little 'together' at all after that. Sex became for procreation only."
"What about daily hugs and kisses and the words 'I love you'?"
"There wasn't a lot of time for that sort of thing."
"Ever have a house plant?"
"Of course."
"Well did you water it regularly?"
"No. it died. I'm not much of a gardener."
Peter was silent for a while. "So you and your husband... there's lots of hugs, kisses and 'I love you's'?"
"Oh yes! Everyday!"
"Is that why you have a good marriage?"
"Who knows. We started out with that when we met and liked it, so we decided to continue with it. I suppose we may have ritualized it some, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable." Sarah thought for a moment. "With this sort of daily tradition, it becomes immediately obvious when someone is out of sorts. Then we go for a walk and talk our way back to where we want to be, making sure we are both pleased with the results."
Peter nodded. "Thanks. I'll remember this should I ever remarry. Then, "So tell me about the ring."
Grateful for the topic shift, Sarah replied,"I saw the ring when we were out window shopping a few months ago and admired it."
"That was all it took?" he asked.
"I was surprised myself. He didn't buy it then. He gave it to me as a birthday present as I left. I waited until this morning to unwrap it."
"Today is your birthday?" he asked with surprise.