I'd just arrived at the Film conference. Was about two hours late which meant I missed the premiere of a talented student name Christina Ingrams new work. Sucks when you plan so long for a trip and then everything goes to shit from minute one. My flight delayed an hour, hotel couldn't find my reservation, even though when they did, I'd been waiting another hour and a half. They upgraded me to the honeymoon suite, which had not been cleaned from the last guesst, and boy did they celebrate, alll over the place. When I finally laid my head down it was one in the morning. I took three of the five complimentary shots of Jack Daniels and fell asleep without setting any alarm to wake me up on time. Here I am now, sneaking behind the thick curtain to stand in the back and watch the remainder of this seminar. A woman is at the podium, answering questions about her film. I'd read the program, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what the woman's name was. I squinted passed my frames, but there was no name anywhere even though, she looked familar to me. The speaker announced that the next question would be the last and that then they'd be breaking off for lunch and smaller seminars. Someone asked where her inspiration came from and she thought briefly before saying, something about capturing the beauty she see's in visual storytelling. The speaker gave ending comments, then everyone began disbursing. I figured I'd grab something to eat and join a seminar. After grabbing a sandwich and Chardonnay at one of the lunch areas set up, I made my way to the bathroom to pee. There was a woman talking on the phone by a window near the bathroom. Her face was turned so she didn't see me looking. The conversation she was having seemed intense. I went into the bathroom, let out the river my bladder held and freshened up. When I made it back out, the woman was finishing her phone call. She turned around and leaned up against the wall. She looked up and we locked eyes. I knew her...it was the woman from earlier, but I really did know her. I couldn't recall from where or even when, but we both seemed to be trying to place each other. I walked over to her.
"Hi,"
"Hey."
"So sorry to bother you, I just, you look familiar as hell to me. I just can't place you for some reason."
She studied my face a little more. She wore sleek frames over the most beautiful crystal blue eyes I'd ever seen. When I looked at her, it was as if I was looking into forever. Her brown hair was tied back. Her smile. That smile, I'd remember forever. She looked at me, kind of squinted.
"I do feel like I've see you at some point in my life. Maybe you came to a seminar of mine, or-"
"Did you ever teach a film workshop?"
She chuckles, I study her laughter, that smile.
"I taught a small class years and years ago. Did a favor for a friend of mine."
"Lesa Collins right? I'm sure I was in that class." She looked good. It'd been at least 5 years.
We both smile and nod, finding comfort in the fact that we aren't kidding ourselves about meeting before.
"I'd ask you to coffee or something, but I don't want to keep you. I'm sure you're busy this weekend."
Lesa took a deep breath,
"Yeah actually, I do have somewhere I'm supposed to be. "
It was kind of foolish of me to ask, but I just remembered being so impressed and intrigued by her. How awesome would it be to just chit chat, all these years later.
"I understand. Great seeing you."
"Now may not be good but here, take my number."
I quickly retrieve my phone from my messenger bag. I punch in the numbers as she says them. I call her and tell her to lock me in under 'Bren'. She said my last name as if it came to her like an epiphany. She then said she remembered me very well. We share another smile, before we part ways. I can't tell you how wet I got in those last four seconds of being in her presence. I remembered all too well, the way I used to think about her during class. Wondering constantly what made me so attracted to her. It was a little of everything and a little of nothing, but nonetheless, I wanted her just as much now.
It was five-thirty. I'd been to two seminars and sat in on four screenings and interviews. Time seemed to be speeding by, and I was having the time of my life. A text came through, just as I was ordering another glass of wine. It was from Lesa, asking if I wanted to watch a screening of her colleague Miguel's film. I couldn't type, 'yes' fast enough. She told me where to find them and I met them there a few minutes later. As we settled into the dark room, I tried to seem less excited than I was. Her and some other people chatted before the movie began. When the lights started to dim, she looked over at me and smiled. "You're gonna enjoy this."
'I already am' I said in my mind.
Throughout the movie my pupils snuck to the corners of my eyes, in her direction. She'd be looking ahead, and I'd be reminiscing on past thoughts. Remembering my mind undressing her, piece by piece as she explained the intricacies of mise en scene. I'd catch myself staring too long, and turn away. The next time I'd did it, she was looking back at me. It startled me and I reacted, noticeably. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly and I blushed. Once the movie ended, everyone got up. Lesa's friend's coo'd and cheered. They planned to celebrate by bar hopping. I didn't wanna seem lame while waiting off on the side lines, but it didn't make sense to just leave. She told them she might catch up but after a much needed nap. It was almost eight. I hadn't eaten since one. There were a few people that I network with, that I was supposed to link up with but having not heard from anyone, I had no plans. She waved to them and turned to me.
"Plans tonight?"
