It was a Christmas holiday party like a lot of others. Families from the upscale subdivision descended upon the subdivision clubhouse, and laughter and music filled the air. Champagne, wine, drinks and beer flowed. It was as if the tension from the entire year was being diffused by this annual gathering, happening as it was on the Friday when work was mostly over for several days in favor of celebration and tradition. In the party, Julia Monroe flitted about effortlessly. There were the neighbors she wanted to see and say hello to. There were the young adult or teenage children of her neighbors who she wanted to ask about and catch up with. She just loved being social, and it showed. She was vibrant and personable. She was also clearly well-liked. Every cluster of people she encountered welcomed her openly and easily.
She saw her husband, Bill, across the way, and she was disappointed he seemed to be sticking with just a couple of the other men. She didn't understand why it was that he didn't move about or use this party as the occasion to mingle. These were people they'd mostly known a good while, and she thought it best he be friendly and more open.
This Christmas holiday party was one of the social events she always looked forward to. She had picked out her form-fitting black dress weeks before, and her black heels were her favorites. She liked especially when her friends noticed her choices, and she in turn appreciated theirs. A couple of her friends were even very complimentary to her this year. One had been so flattering as to compare her to the actress Anne Archer, and the way the actress had looked in a popular movie from years ago.
Julia was guardedly aware of the comparison but didn't say much about. She did take good care of herself, and she thought her bright eyes and full lips did accentuate whatever appeal she carried. At 5'5" and 120 pounds, she worked out regularly and ate carefully, and she was proud she had maintained herself as she had. This was regardless of whatever popular comparison was made of her to an actress.
A few minutes after nine o'clock, Julia was near the front entrance of the clubhouse when she heard a newcomer being welcomed inside. Her attention was piqued when she heard that deep, distinctive voice. She'd recognize that voice anywhere, she knew.
She stepped quickly around a hall to the front entrance and then she let out a shriek.
"Heeyyyyyy!" She exclaimed upon seeing him.
The young man's face brightened into a beaming smile, and he instantly embraced her. "Hey Mom!" He answered as excitedly back to her as she had done with him. They hugged each other tightly, and those around them all smiled at their joy in seeing each other.
She pulled back to look at him, and she talked of how he had already seemed to change. He had not been able to get back home from college the past semester with his last classes he was finishing up and an internship he was diligently pursuing. They continued to hold onto each other as they quickly talked and started catching up.
After a few minutes, she took him by the arm. She ushered him on into the party and started showing him around. Her first stop was with his dad, and while they may not have shown quite the excitement that Julia and her son had, it was still clear to her that he was glad to see Jack, their only son.
Julia slowly drifted back and let Jack see others and mingle on his own. She kept a watchful eye, as he easily roamed around seeing others just as effortlessly as she always managed. She of course attributed that to herself and not to Jack's more socially stunted and reserved father.
Julia also, for probably the first time, took notice of just what a man her son had grown into as well. He clearly seemed more mature and more grown than she could ever remember seeing before. He stood up straight and tall, which at 6'1" and 200 pounds cut an imposing figure to her. He had kept lean and athletic, and he was certainly handsome, making Julia reassured that he was popular with the girls back at college.
A friend of Julia's ambled beside her and also looked over to Jack. "Wow, Julia. He's really grown up, you know?"
Julia couldn't get out a spoken response, and the truth was that she was probably a little oft put by having a friend of hers make such an adult comment about her Jack.
Julia just shrugged, but the friend offered more. "I mean, he's turned into such the stud." Julia paused as the friend added something Julia would have never expected to hear. "Just look at the arms and hands on him."
Julia half-turned to her friend and playfully slapped at her. "Ahh!" Julia gasped at the remark and they both snickered. But as Julia turned her attention back to Jack, she did exactly as the friend had suggested and she took in Jack's arms and hands. They appeared strong and noticeably so. Julia mentally examined his hands and she felt a queasiness inside, as it registered with her that her friend had perceived correctly. His hands did look larger than normal.
She turned back to her friend and she wondered if her friend had watched her eye Jack. They just chuckled to one another, and they went for another drink. Julia didn't know if the wandering observation meant she needed more to drink or whether it signaled she should stop. It took but an instant for her to conclude that it meant for her to have another one.
As the evening wore on, she enjoyed her friends and neighbors, and she kept her glass refilled. She felt such an excitement and happiness that she also replenished her husband's glass and Jack's as well. She knew she was getting buzzed, but she also knew this was one of the few parties she really let herself relax at. Besides, they were just a short walk from home.
During the party, she kept an eye on her husband, and she tried to see for herself just how much he actually did socialize. She found herself regretting that he didn't seem to try harder socially. She believed that he would get more out of things like this party if he just put more effort into it.
Much to her tipsied surprise, she also found herself keeping an eye on Jack. She liked how he did make the effort, and she was sure that he and she were so very alike at how they were both so social. More than once, she found herself just watching him. A couple of times, he caught her watching him, too. He would just smile over at her and give some gesture. Whether a small wave or a knowing nod, he never failed to acknowledge her.
Julia felt an unusual mix of pride in him maturing as he had, together with a new-found appreciation for what an impressive young man he had become. She wondered if he must have overnight reached this age where he was such a man rather than just a young college student any more. She partially understood her take of him was influenced by the alcohol, and she warned herself to slow it down.
She made her way carefully to the kitchen, and she poured the remaining drink she had into the sink. She went to rest against the counter when she was pleasantly surprised by Jack moving right up next to her.
"Hey lady," he smiled to her as if they shared a secret and she found herself feeling charmed by him. "Have you been a good girl this year?" He openly laughed, and she did, too.
