Craig has been writing for this journal now for about two years and in this time he has had several 'journalist' come aboard due to expansion. Geri, his editor was a good woman. She's had experience in many areas and at the age 51, Craig had become her confidante of sorts.
Geri was not your typical 51-year-old woman. She was active within the community of approximately 200,000 residents. She was on the board at Hetrick Public Local School for girls in this community and she was a vital part of their educational system and athletic progress as well.
One trait Craig liked about Geri Henry was that she was always willing to see the bright side of things but as well, keep all things in perspective.
What he did not know was that Geri liked three people and she confided in him who two of them were. He was not oblivious to who the third one could have been: himself. She assumed he already knew this; He did, he just never said anything.
She was probably more then attracted to him, then any of them. According to Kyle, her son from out of wedlock, she liked Craig a lot. However, you couldn't prove that by her actions.
The mid-summer picnic at the county fairgrounds was coming up and many flew in, about half the staff that cared to come in. The journalists were from all over the USA, Canada as well as England and Germany too.
Therefore, this was not your everyday yearly picnic. Alcohol was the drink of the day. Kegs of beer, vodka coolers, wine coolers, wine, Jack Daniels, Scotch, you name it, it was supplied!
Now Craig doesn't drink anymore, so he thought this could be a challenge as far as enjoying the picnic. However, neither did Geri, Aviance, Shelie nor Henri.
Like Craig, Henri discovered he had diabetes too and drinking was among other shit, to be of course one of the worst things he could do.
However, this was Summer Picnic. With 'Summer Picnic', EVERYONE PUT IT DOWN! At least a little or even loads of it, it didn't matter. They all knew each other well or pretty well, except Aviance, who was a little newer to the On-Live Post Journal.
"Craig, hey honey, I need a favor from you sweetheart." He answered back, "What's that Geri?"
"I'd love for you to make Aviance more at home for me until I get there. I want to mingle with our top vendors and eventually introduce you, first of everyone. You are might right hand man and it only makes sense to make her feel welcome, okay? Please?"
Now Geri's smile kicked in and she had such a tasteful smile. Along with a body that showed she worked hard to keep up her figure, which was a huge turn on to him and that depended on what the wear of the day was too; he easily volunteered for the job.
Aviance stood around and mingled a little. Aviance had chocolate brown skin, actually beautiful chocolate skin and it had such a shimmer to it, and when she smiled, her eyes sparkled too. Craig liked her at first glance.
As he began walking towards her, she noticed him. She smiled but her eyes didn't scope him up and down, as he had seen, other women do to him. No, she looked right in to his face. Aviance was a brilliant woman from the talk around the organization. That is something he thought he would like.
"Hi Aviance, I am Craig Hill. I am...", "Ohh hi Craig, wow it's a pleasure to meet you." She had cut him off. She had stuck her hand out to shake his; but they really had so many phone and video conferences together, it was as if they knew each other much better then this.
When their hands met, each of them instinctively pulled the other towards themselves for a hug. It was a nice hug.
She had long straight hair with some braiding to it, but her face was smooth, her teeth were very white and she seemed to shimmer all over. She also had such a pleasant odor about her. A fragrance he couldn't put his finger on, but it was nice.
"So since we already know each other, may I offer you a drink of something? Would you like to meet the others too? Sit down and just shoot the breeze or what," he asked.
"Well, since these parties come only once a year, I'll break down and have a Vodka Cooler, a Raspberry Cooler, if you have any. I've always wanted to try one and it isn't as strong as some cocktails, okay?"
He got her the drink, then they walked around and he introduced her to many different people, some within the main office and many from around the outside areas.
He spent about 50 minutes doing this and she and Craig chatted too as they went from one to the other and so on. It was very relaxing; they all teased about how Craig was the 'lady killer'. She asked him about this later.
Finally, they met up with Geri and as usual, she laid a kiss on his cheek for being so gracious with Aviance. Now she and Geri went off and talked for a long time, but every once in a while, he would catch Aviance looking his way.
