It was Saturday morning and I was just returning from dropping James at the airport. He was going to Seattle for a six week seminar. As I pulled into the driveway, the postman pulled up to the mailbox. I met him there and took the letters and bills.
Walking in, I shuffled through it and noticed three pieces that looked like cards. Opening them I found that I was invited to three birthday parties, one wedding shower, and one baby shower. All in the period of time that James would be gone.
"Damn him!" I cried aloud to no one.
As you know, I hate shopping. The crowds drive me crazy and I can never find exactly what I think I'm looking for. But I had no choice. These people were all special to me and I had to go.
I put on my most comfortable shoes, a light airy dress and reluctantly drove to the Mall where there were enough stores to accommodate all my needs. On the way there I went through the various gifts I wanted to pick up and devised what I thought to be a strategy.
I parked as close as I could to the first store I decided to shop in. I hoped to find the perfect birthday present for Sylvia, one of my dearest friends. I wanted to get her this frumpy purse I had seen in a newspaper ad.
Wanting to get this over with as soon as possible, I jumped onto the escalator and started trotting up the stairs without looking. My mind was working on the direction I needed to turn to find the purse when I collided with a couple of bodies.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I cried as I lifted my head to see the damage I had done.
They turned to see who had so rudely bumped into them and as I looked up at the wall I had hit, I realized it was Russell an ex-boyfriend of mine whom I hadn't seen in a couple of years.
On his arm hung his latest eye candy. She was what every man dreamed of ... blond, skinny, lots of makeup, and her head bobbed back and forth from shoulder to shoulder as she talked.
"Russell, how have you been?" I asked looking at the blond dangling on his arm.
"Great, how about you?" he responded. "Have you met Gloria?"
"No, I don't think I've had the pleasure," I smiled at her and held out my hand.
She smiled and said, "H1!" ignoring my hand.
"Where's James?" Russell asked as the escalator hit the floor.
"Unfortunately, I dropped him off at the airport before the mail came. He's on his way to Seattle for a six week conference and training. When I got home, the mailman was there with invitations that require gifts. So here I am since James is gone for awhile.
"Too bad, I know how much you hate these places," he was sincere.
"Thanks, it was good seeing you again, Russell and nice to meet you Gloria," I responded and turned toward the handbag section of the store.
"Hey, if you're not doing anything later, why don't you join Gloria and me for dinner? We're going to Boleros. They have great food. We'd love to have you there."
"What time? I asked hurrying away.
"Six-ish," he called across the store.
"If I get finished in time, may do that. If I don't make it, maybe we can do it another time." I called over my shoulder as I rushed off to do the shopping.
I scurried from department to department looking for appropriate gifts for my friends. Finally at about five-thirty I was finished, tired and hungry. As I was getting into the car, thinking about what I was going to do for dinner, I remembered Russell's invitation.
I thought why not? Golden hair certainly didn't seem to mind his asking me along. I'll drop by and see if they're still there. If not, I'll eat there anyway.
The parking lot was almost full. Dinner time is the wrong time to go to dinner at an excellent restaurant. Walking through it, I did see his car so I continued on.
It was as if he was looking for me to walk through the door. Russell stood up and motioned for me to join them. As I sat across from them, Gloria smiled and said, "I'm so glad you made it!"
"Thank you, I nearly forgot and was going home when my stomach growled." I explained.
We talked and ate for about forty-five minutes. Russell ordered drinks all around. I was starting to relax and get comfortable. Then I remembered that James was going to call when he got to Seattle.
"I had better go, James will be calling soon. He'll worry if I'm not home when he calls." I begged off and gathered my purse to leave.
"Oh, you know he'll leave you a message. Why don't you come to the house for a nightcap?" Russell pleaded.
I begged off and headed for the door.
Walking into the house, the phone was ringing. It was James and he had made the trip safely. I told him about running into Russell and his arm jewel. We laughed about it. Then I told him about the dinner invitation and the gifts I had brought.
"I'm proud of you, making that trip to the Mall, which I know you hate so much. But why didn't you go over and visit with him and his new friend?" he asked disappointed.
"I don't do threesomes with another woman, you know that!" I scolded.
"Well, maybe she's a cuck and likes to watch," James suggested.
"I doubt that. She was hanging onto him for dear life," I explained.
"Should've gone," he argued.
"Not tonight; I was too tired and stressed," I retorted.
"It would have relaxed you!" he countered.
We bantered back and forth a bit more then he was off to sleep and I went to take a hot shower.
Stepping out of the hot spray, I heard the phone ringing again. 'I thought, 'who can that be?'
Picking up the earpiece, I said "Hello?"
"Yeah, it's me, Russell. I'm begging you to come over. I thought we'd have some drinks and talk about old times. I know you would have a blast with Gloria. She's really a neat person. Please come over for a few drinks!"
