Julie smiled back at him and went out to the car, which had now arrived at the door. She told the girls about her encounter.
“I sure would like to climb that tall hunk of man! I wonder if that cutie Stanley Johnson, or KCP is here too?” said Elaine.
“I didn’t see them, but maybe,” said Julie.
They all got out the car, leaving it to the valet.
Walking into the hotel, the ladies became even more excited about the wonderful scenery, the beautiful accommodations, and the electricity that was in the air.
The ladies went into their rooms, which consisted of a separate bedroom with two queen beds, a sitting area with a couch, table, chairs, marble bathroom with a sunken tub, coffee maker, and a refrigerator. They put down their suitcases and freshened up, because the party had already started. Sabra, Julie, and Lillian were in one room, and Vanessa, Yvette, and Elaine were in the adjoining room. Sabra plopped back on one of the beds.
"At last. I am officially on vacation, even if it is only for one night," she said.
Julie said," I was on vacation as soon as the doors on the car were locked and we pulled out the driveway."
"Well, I'm hungry and I hope there is some food to eat somewhere,” said Sabra.
"There will be plenty of food to eat at the party," said Julie.
She went to the closed separator door and banged on it. “Hey heifers. Open up this door. Don't make me knock it down."
Elaine opened the door. "Dang, girl. What do you want?" she said with fake irritation.
"We are hungry. We need to go so we can get a table and eat,” said Julie.
"Sounds like a plan," shouted Yvette from the bathroom.
The ladies finished checking themselves out, and went down to the lobby area and found a bar at the nearby restaurant, Fishbones, that was packed with people dining and socializing. "Let’s get a quick drink before we go in," said Lillian.
"I don’t know why you want to buy drinks when they are free at the party,” said Julie.
“I’m treating, so don’t worry about it, but I bet we don’t have to pay for them…I’m keeping hope alive that chivalry is not dead,” said Lillian.
“Ok, one drink, ladies, and we out," said Julie.
They went to the bar and they all decided to do a shot of Patrón tequila. They raised their glasses. "To the head," said Yvette, and they swallowed their drinks and slammed the glasses down.
As Lillian was about to pay, a guy who had been eyeing them motioned to the bar keeper, and paid their tab.
The ladies waved at him and said thanks.
“See?” said Lillian.
As they were walking out the door, the guy gently grabbed Lillian's arm. He appeared to be about 20 years old.
"Excuse me, but is your name Angel?" She looked at him confused, and said, "No, it's not."
"Well, it must be because I think you fell down from heaven."
She looked at him, then at the girls, and they all cracked up.
"Oh no, he didn't use that line!" said Sabra while laughing.
Lillian told the young man, "Why, thank you for the compliment, and thanks for the drinks. See you later," and left him standing there, looking distraught and slightly humiliated.
She walked over to where her girls were and they just shook their heads.
"You catching them babies already. How old was he, about 15?"
The ladies chorused in laughter.
"Hell, he was fine and he can call me mama if he wants to…um um um, "said Elaine.
"Girl you are crazy. Let’s get out of here before I decide to stay here and miss that party," said Sabra. "Because there sure is a lot of fine men out in this lobby!"
They found the ballroom and the party in full swing. The song, “Brick House”, by the Commodores, was bumping, and the dance floor was full of people dancing and having a great time. It was a vision of red and white everywhere.
The ballroom was decorated beautifully. There were red and white balloons and roses, silver, red, and black streamers that appeared to be falling from the ceiling, and Kappa table decorations all over the room. The ladies immediately sought a table and found one to accommodate them all. The DJ was Donafay from a Detroit radio station, and he was playing some great oldies and new music. A photographer was in a room located outside another set of doors, with a beautiful Kappa backdrop for attendees to take commemorative pictures of the event.
The men of Kappa were everywhere and most had on black or white outfits with red, white and black accessories. A few of them were bold in all red suits.
They stood in line to get some food. There was a wonderful assortment of finger foods: barbequed and fried chicken wings, Swedish meatballs, shrimp cocktail, pasta salad, tossed salad, lunchmeat trays with salami, ham and turkey, crackers, fruit salad and vegetable trays. There were cookies, brownies, chocolate-coated strawberries, cheesecake for dessert, and beautifully decorated Kappa red and white iced cupcakes. They got their food and went to their table to eat.
After eating and admiring all the men and women, they ventured off individually to mingle.
Yvette stayed at the table to enjoy people-watching. Since she was married, she really wasn't checking out the men like some of her buddies, but she was searching for familiar faces. While she was observing, a man approached her.
"Excuse me, are these seats taken?" he asked.
"Five of them are, but those aren't taken," she said as she pointed at two empty seats.
"Do you mind if I sit here and eat my food?" he asked.
"I surely don't mind," she said "have a seat."
"My name is John," he said as he extended his hand. "I'm Yvette. Pleased to meet you, John."
John and Yvette had a pleasant conversation. He told her that he was a Kappa and had graduated from the University of Michigan. The University of Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Yvette told him that maybe she shouldn't be talking to him because she was from Michigan State and U of M was one of their biggest rivals. "Well, somebody had to go there," she joked, “so I won’t hold that against you.” They both laughed and he thanked her for letting him sit there.
.
"So what is it you do for a living, if you don't mind me asking?" asked Yvette.
"I don't mind. I am a retired military man. I was in the Marines for 25 years after I graduated and worked as a Systems Specialist. I am also a real estate developer and investor on the side," said John.
"That's wonderful, and thank you for your service," said Yvette.
"You’re welcome. Now, what is it that you do," asked John," if you don't mind me asking?'
"I am a registered nurse at Beaumont Hospital," she answered.
"Very respectable, and thank you for your service."
"You're welcome." They both smiled.
"This event is great,” said Yvette. “I love that you donate some of the proceeds from the evening to charities. Everyone looks great and there is such a good turn out."
At that moment Sabra and Elaine came back to the table with dessert.
"Hello," they said to John. "Hello ladies." Yvette introduced everyone. "John, this is Sabra and Elaine. Ladies, this is John."
"Pleased to meet you both," he said as he stood up and shook their hands.
"So, are you single?" asked Sabra, in her Sabra way. The ladies looked at her with exasperation.
"What?” she said to them with a frown, then looked back at John with a smile.
"Yes, I am. I was married but I've been divorced for quite some time now. I keep pretty busy and haven't found that lady who will put up with me."
"Well, what's wrong with you?" asked Sabra.
Elaine jumped in, "Okay Sabe, give him a break. I'm so sorry for my friend. We are protective of one another, but Ms. Sabra takes things to a whole other level."
Sabra rolled her eyes at her, and then she smiled.
"Oh, that's quite alright, and I believe there is nothing wrong with me; at least that's what my shrink says
," said John.
They all looked at him at the same time.
"Just kidding, ladies." They all erupted in laughter.
"You're alright with me John," said Sabra.
After talking and finishing their food, John arose. "It was nice meeting you all, and I hope you save me a dance, Ms. Yvette."
"I sure will. Nice meeting you."
"The pleasure is all mine."
After he walked away, Sabra said, "Ain't that nothing! She the only one of us that has a man, and we can't get any action."
"Calm down. The night is young," said Yvette.
Just then, the song, “The Wobble" came on, a popular song with a line dance that goes with it, and they all scurried out to the dance floor. After that, the “Cupid Shuffle" came on, and they continued dancing. The DJ slowed it down, so they went back to their seats. Julie looked around and after a moment saw someone that looked very familiar to her.
Even though he had his back to her, she knew it was him. It's funny how you can remember little things, like the way a person holds their head back when they laugh, even after 30 years have gone by. He turned as if he sensed something. Their eyes locked. He excused himself from the group he was talking to. They walked toward each other. When they met up, they gave each other a friendly, church hug, just in case a spouse was looking.
“Julie Ledsinger. At the risk of being cliché, you are a sight for sore eyes."
"Kevin Turner." You haven't changed a bit." She was thinking, this man has gotten better looking with time. He still has his hair, although it was cut very low and sprinkled with gray, but he was still so handsome! They hugged again, not caring about possible spouses anymore.
"Well, you look great. So how have you been, and how come there is no ring on that finger?" asked Kevin.
She looked down at her hands, then at his. "Well, there is no ring because I am single. Now what is your status? Last thing I heard was that you were married," she said after noticing that his ring finger was bare.
"I am a divorcee and have been for some time. I do have three beautiful children, and I'm single because I married the wrong person."
"Oh, I can relate to that," she said and they laughed, "so what happened?"
"Well, as you probably know, I married Tutti. Tutti had gained a lot of weight and was unhappy with herself and made everybody else unhappy, so I paid for her to have that gastric bypass surgery. After she lost a lot of weight and got her swag back, she decided she wanted to start hanging out every night and not with me. I hung in there until all the kids were grown and gone, and made my exit ... wow. I sure am telling you a lot."
"I don't mind. I did ask, " said Julie.
"To make a long story short, she left me and has been trying to come back ever since she figured out the grass is not always greener on the other side. But she can't come back. I'm done with it. I've accepted it, I'm good with it and I've moved on. She not going to play on me, then come crawling back. Nope, I'm good. So enough about me. Why hasn't any man grabbed you up?"
"I was married, but that didn't work out too well. My husband also thought the grass was greener. There's not very much to pick from around here. Everybody knows everybody and has been with everybody. And then when I do meet someone and open up my heart, they step on it."
"I’m sorry to hear that. I looked you up on Facebook and you didn't accept my friend request. What's up with that?" asked Kevin.
"I thought that you were married and I was in the midst of deleting people from my list when your request came, and I was especially deleting married men that I didn't really know, or were in-boxing me inappropriately. It was too much drama, and I got off Facebook for a while. It was really taking up a lot of my time and energy."
"I hear you, but I just thought you forgot about me or just didn't want to be bothered."
She looked at him and started to say that she could never forget him…no one ever forgets their first, but instead said, "No, it wasn't that at all."
The song, "There'll Never Be," by Switch came on. They looked at each other. "You remember this?" he asked. She blushed. "That was our song," she answered. Besides Michael Jackson, Switch was another album she played to death when they were studying.
"May I have this dance?" he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. She thought she would melt when he put his arms around her waist. At that moment it felt like it was only yesterday that they were together.
He pulled her in a little closer and started singing in her ear, "There'll never be, be, be. La la la la la la." He still had a great singing voice, at least it was to her. He was a great dancer back in the day, and he was still light on his feet. He spun her all around the dance floor…even dipped her. She was hoping the song would never end, but it did.
"Want something to drink?" he asked.
"Yes, I would."
He took her by the hand and led her to the bar. As she was walking, she saw Vanessa, who had finally arrived, and Elaine looking at her. She waved with her free hand and they gave her the thumbs up sign. She giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"I'm just laughing at my silly friends over there." She pointed at them. They waved. He waved back.
"You remember my roommate Yvette and Lillian from State?"
"Of course," he answered.
"They're here too and I'm sure they would love to see you."
"I would like to see them too, but right now I want to catch up with you."
He led her to a table and they chatted.
While they were talking, a woman Julie immediately recognized approached their table.
"Well hello, Kevin," said Tutti, ignoring Julie.
"Hello, Tutti," he said dryly. "Didn't know you were going to be here."
"And why wouldn't I? We used to come every year when we were married, and I know just about everybody here," she said, then looked at Julie, "except this person. Is this your new girlfriend?"
Kevin looked over at Julie, who was handling Tutti's rudeness with class.
"This is Julie. Don't you remember her from State?"
"Can't say that I do. Nice to meet you," she said inconvincibly.
"Likewise," said Julie.
"Could you excuse us, I need to talk to Kevin in private," Tutti said to Julie.
"No problem," said Julie. As she got up to leave, Kevin grabbed her hand.
"She's doesn't have to leave. If it's about the kids, we can talk about it another time. This is not the time or place, so please excuse us."
Julie sat back down.
The look on Tutti's face was a mixture of embarrassment and shock.
"Well, I'll give you a call tomorrow. Goodbye," she said as she turned on her heels and walked away.
"Bye," said Julie. "Nice seeing you."
As Tutti walked away, trying to maintain her dignity, Julie said, "I apologize, but I just couldn't help it."
"You have no reason to apologize. I'm apologizing for her rudeness. She knows I don't talk to her unless it's about the kids, so I'm very sorry. Can I make it up to you?"
"You did nothing wrong, but I do want another dance with you before we leave," said Julie.
"No problem, a dance and hopefully dinner tomorrow night?"
"I will check my calendar," said Julie with a wink.
After chatting for a while, Julie brought Kevin over to the table where the ladies were sitting.
"Hey Kevin," said Yvette as she hugged him. "You haven't changed a bit."
"Hey Kevin," said Lillian, as she hugged him too, "long time, no see."
Kevin said, "I always heard that black don't crack, and you ladies are living witnesses to that! You all look great!"
"This is Elaine, Vanessa, and Sabra," said Julie to Kevin as she nodded at each woman.
"Nice meeting you," and he gave each of them a hug.
"So, you are the infamous Kevin," said Sabra.
"Don't get started," said Julie. "Don't pay her any mind," she directed at Kevin, "She's kind of special."
>
Sabra said, "Whatever", and rolled her eyes and pursed her lips, while the others laughed.
"Well, it was good seeing you all again and nice meeting you, ladies. Julie, I will see you tomorrow and later on for another dance, right?"
"Um huh. See you in a few."
He walked away and as soon as he was out of earshot, the ladies went in.
"Tomorrow, huh?" said Sabra.
"Oh my goodness! He is so fine! I can only imagine what he looked like when you were in school!" said Elaine.
"I know. He was married but he is divorced. Did you all see that bitch Tutti come over there? She asked me to leave so they could talk, but he told her butt off and sent her on her way, and man, was she pissed!"
"I like him already," said Elaine.
"The only problem is, he lives in Wisconsin," said Julie.
"Girl, that ain't nothing but a few hours away. You better jump on that one and don't let him get away again," said Elaine.
"And if you don't want him, I will tap that," said Sabra. All the ladies looked at her.
"Damn y’all, I was just kidding! Lighten up! Y’all know I don't want nothing any of you has had. Ever."
They nodded. Their number one girlfriend code: you don't have a relationship with anyone that your girls have slept with, dated, or even crushed on. "Come on ladies, they are going to be turning up the lights soon. Let's get our last dances in before this party is shut down," said Yvette, "let me go find John."
Why CAN T I Be A Cougar?? Page 11