We
are in the midst of a reunion of sorts this weekend. Two couples who we knew and were good friends
with (Yes, it is certainly possible to
have known someone and the resulting study of the relationship reveals a less
than mutually agreeable relational connection.
At least that would be the “Flower Lips” ways of saying that there are
some people you just don’t like. We
actually really like these people) when we lived in Mansfield came down for
a visit. Cary and KayLynn and Wayne and
Sheri (the accent is on the last syllable,
but I don’t know how to stick that in when I’m typing. I guess I could do it like when I’m
transliterating Greek for a sermon: Sheh-reeeee). There was a purpose in their madness,
too. We are in the early stages of
planning a cruise to Alaska, perhaps as soon as next summer. This weekend is supposed to be the kickoff to
that week or two of mayhem and madness, my introduction to the world of cruise
ship living. I am pretty excited about
it, although I haven’t yet started my own research into the trip. My plan is to binge watch every episode of
Love Boat to refresh my memory as to what an experience on a cruise ship is really
like. I know they wouldn’t have let them
put it on TV if it wasn’t the truth.
Now,
the secondary reason for the gathering was unknown to one particular person in
the group. See, this weekend is
KayLynn’s birthday, and we intended to fete her royally, whether she wanted us
to or not. We began the afternoon of
their arrival mainly by sitting around and chatting, getting caught up on each
other’s lives. I had a wedding rehearsal
to sneak off to, so the chat session came to an end when I got ready to
leave. Of course my wardrobe had to be
duly approved by my wife. And my other
wife. And my other wife. It was like looking into some kind of 3-D
mirror. “Are you going to wear that?”
echoed three times is a frightening experience.
I would only kiss one of them goodbye, however. It was her night. Everyone else would have to wait her
turn.
They
went off to check into their condo rooms they rented for the weekend, and I left
for the rehearsal. By the time I finished,
they were on their way back to the house, ready for some Galveston-quality
seafood. We chose Benno’s to act on a recommendation
from someone in their lives. The food
was pretty good. Their crab balls were
fried in their Cajun batter, so they tasted really smoky to me. I’m a straight corn meal or flour batter guy,
myself. What was inside was really good,
though.
There
was one “interesting” occurrence at the restaurant. The girls chose the table while the guys
stood in line to make our order. Their selection
was the one farthest in the back, right next to the men’s restroom. Unusual choice, but perhaps a bit quieter
than other spots if the raucous dining room.
Me and Chris and Wayne sat facing the wall. Cary and KayLynn faced us, with Sheri taking
a spot right next to the bathroom door. Honestly,
I didn’t think anything about it at first.
At least not until the other two ladies reported on her antics while we
were waiting dutifully in line. Seems our
dear Sheri has a bit of a past. Her fluttering
eyelids and “cough drop” fresh breath mints and no doubt occasional perfectly
timed winks were attracting gentlemen of all ages who apparently suddenly ”felt
the urge.” One fellow even leaned over
and whispered some sort of sweet nothing in her ear, and then leaned back a bit
further and queried, “Laura?” Sheri
tried to play it off and maintain her cover identity by insisting her name was Sheri, but I’m not sure the fellow was
completely convinced. After all these
years none of us (I’m not sure even her
own husband knew) had any idea. I
for one am looking forward to further revelations about her “Life as Laura.”
After
the meal we managed to tear Laura/Sheri away from her prime spot to head
home. Wayne kept his arm around her to
discourage further “mistaken identity” hits.
We adjourned to our house for some Blue Bell ice cream and, unbeknownst
to KayLynn, a birthday cake. She blew
out all three candles on her cake and we sang “Happy birthday” and there were
even presents. “Special” presents that
Chris graciously allowed me to pick out.
Thirteen of them, to be exact, plus the Galveston flipflops coffee mug
that Chris helped pick out. Each one had
a certain sentimental memory attached to it, and by the time she finished, I for
one, was teary-eyed. I couldn’t believe everyone
else was laughing so much, though. Guess
they just didn’t get the emotional connection one can have with a tiny plastic
elephant that bellows like a stuck pig and poops candy.
Hebrews
1:8-9 says, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your
throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the
scepter of your kingdom. You have loved
righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above
your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.’”
Father,
thank you for great friendships that last and last and last. Amen.
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