Chapter 3
With little traffic on the road to compete with, it takes Eric and Tricia almost 45 minutes to arrive at Dan's house which is located in a private exclusive gated community overseeing an incredible mountain range that is well known. They were the 8th or 9th vehicle to park outside of the expansive home. The only discussion that took place involved subject matters to avoid, the usual politics and religion, and then just before turning off the ignition, the only topic that was truly on Eric's mind, what lay ahead in their bedroom later tonight. Tricia re-affirmed her promise.
Eric and Tricia exited their vehicle at the same time and Tricia thought that at least half of the executive team must already be present by the number of vehicles. They walked together, Tricia leading the way, to the front porch entryway. Upon stepping onto the porch, a greeter opened the front door welcoming them to come inside.
"Hello and thank you", Eric said to the nice female who had opened the door.
"Everyone is in the great room, down the hall, and then to the left", the paid help informed them.
Eric led the way, following the directions perfectly, ending up entering a room with my 18-20 people having conversation in small groups of 3-5 people.
Eric walked next to his bride of 10 years, with his right palm resting on her lower back as they entered the room. There was Drew Renyolds, Andrea Davies, and Joe Bipps and their spouses all together in one corner. This group was known to Eric as they had children the same ages and the group of 4 formed a dinner club to ensure that, at minimum, one night per month was spent with only adults. Eric and Tricia naturally gravitated towards this group. There were pleasantries shared between the eight took place and small talk ensued with usual topics being covered.
Nearly 25 minutes had passed, each of the dinner club members were on their second cocktail of the evening, when Dan whistled as though he were attending an outdoor sporting event to draw everyone's attention.
"Dinner will be served in a few minutes, please grab a dinner drink of your choice and lets meet at the table we have outside." Dan added, "We have arranged name tags for assigned seating to allow everyone to get to know each other better. We hope everyone is comfortable with that."
Most everyone heads to one of the two set-up serving bars that are staffed with young college individuals from the catering company. Eric orders another Angels Envy on the rocks for himself, and Tricia's standard drink, a Grey Goose Vodka and Soda with a lemon twist. He finds his name tag next to Tricia's and confirmed all of the couples were still paired together. He did not recognize the names on either side of them and knew instantly that some effort went into the seating arrangement.
Eric was sitting next to Jeff Wilson's wife, Gloria, and they exchanged greetings. Tricia was sitting next to Dan, who sat next to his second wife, Melanie.
"Have you been able to talk with the group?" Dan asked Tricia.
"Yes, almost everyone actually." She answers.
"Great, that is what tonight is about."
"Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves", Tricia comments
"This is going to be great team and incredible merger for the corporation", Dan says, keeping it all business.
There is small talk throughout the dinner table and most everyone has ordered their 4th cocktail when a dessert is placed in front of them.
Most everyone politely passes on dessert and commits to the cocktail. It is a group that enjoys their beverages. Within 20 minutes guest have gotten up from the dinner table, some have expressed their gratitude while others have engage in further conversation.
Nothing significant happened or was said in any of the conversations that Eric or Tricia had become involved in. Eric wanting to get home and begin living out the promise that Tricia made, encouraged Tricia to finish her cocktail, which she agree to do. After Eric returned from the bathroom, Tricia informed him that after she went to the same location they would be able to leave.
Tricia walk to the bathroom on the main floor which had Wes Staple standing outside.
Wes announced, "A line is forming"
Realizing she did not want to wait, Tricia located a staircase, assured that there had to be a common bathroom at the top of the stairs. Confirmation occurred when she reached the top of stairs and she located a bathroom within the first door on the right.
Tricia rushed into the bathroom, pulled up her sundress above her waist line and slid her lacy thong down to her ankles. She simply had to relieve her bladder from the consumption of 5 Grey Goose mixed drinks. Less than 15 seconds after beginning to empty her bladder the door swung open without a knock or any warning and at the door stood the party host, Dan.
