He felt light-headed. So many faces without names, aged thirty years since he'd seen many of them. He kept smiling and shaking hands, getting hugs, suddenly feeling every day of his forty nine years.
He shook hands, some faces so clear in his mind, it was like no time had passed. He kept nodding at each hello, giving some of his old girlfriends hugs, seeing that glimmer of recognition.
She came out of no where, giving him a bear hug. She didn't look familiar at all. She was younger, maybe early thirties, pretty face, and built like a Russ Meyer's actress, equal bust and hips, both large. She wore heels, but she seemed to be teetering on them in the grass.
He smiled back at her, and was quickly grabbed to say hello to other guests.
While getting another beer, he became aware of the same woman beside him. "Oh, Hi."
"You don't recognize me, do you."
"Oh, sure I do, I was just surprised to see you, that's all."
She smiled, "You were never a good liar."
Fitz thought to get indignant, but decided against it. 'Yeah, I guess not. I'm sorry, but it's been so long."
She smiled again, slyly. "And I always thought some day, you'd come back for me!"
Who was she?
"Maybe this will refresh your memory," she said, digging out a photo album.
She flipped it open, turned a few pages and held it up for him. He squinted, not having his reading glasses because of vanity, and saw a picture of him, at maybe 18, with this little girl on his shoulders. Jeez, now I know!
"You were like five years old! Damn!" Looking her up and down. "How's Lynn? Is she here?"
Fitz dated Kerry's older sister, Lynn for two years. Kerry was always around, being Lynn's responsibility while her Mom worked.
Kerry beamed at final recognition. "She's out on the coast, with her second husband. Two grown kids and a ten year old from the second marriage. Still the same Lynn, all about house and money. But she's happy, so..."
"And you?"
"Married, a son, ten. Both father and son on a fishing trip, so I'm here alone."
"Me too, the wife stayed home, figuring she would be out of place. She was right."
"Kids?"
"Nope, never felt fatherly enough, and too selfish to take on the responsibility."
They chatted about each other's parents because the families had gotten close. Both Fitz's had passed away, and Kerry's mom was still going strong at 75. It turned out that both were staying at the Marriott, along with many others. When the crowd was breaking up, after exchanges of e-mails and promises to keep in touch, about ten people showed up at the hotel lounge for a nightcap.
The bar was closing, and people were saying goodnight. Kerry spoke to the barman and got refills for them. She said, "This is my first night out in years. No rush going home."
Fitz was in no rush, either.
She said,"So, let's go up to my room. I got a balcony we can sit on."
They did, and Fitz was feeling like a cradle robber because she was so young back then, even though she was about 35 now.
She stood close in the cool breeze. "Brrr! Luckily I have you and the Brandy to keep me warm!"
