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As I was scoping the place for Sherri I ended up near the bar and thought I might grab a couple drinks. I finally located her on the dance floor and it looked like she had formed a bit of a dance group with another girl and 2 guys, none of whom I recognized. I decided that it looked like more of a group than 2 couples so I worked my way in “HEY, I GOT YOU A DRINK” I yelled over the music. She pointed over to a distant table and yelled back that she had a full one somewhere. “OH GOOD, MORE FOR ME” I said as I chugged her drink in an effort to show my manliness. I discarded the empty on the table nearest to the dance floor and awkwardly pushed my way back into the group of 4. I tried to position myself in a way that kept the group open but still asserted my claim over Sherri.

This prompted an introduction “Hey, I’m Eric” He offered along with a forceful handshake. (Name invented because I had no interest in meeting any Tom, Dick, or Erik at this point in the night)

“Around these parts, they call me Little Bean.” I said with a slur. I figured having a lame nickname that was earned was better than just a pain old name.

Before the competitive handshake had ended Sherri came in close enough for both of us to hear, “This is Eric, he’s pretty cool.” I smiled and nodded as if everything was good, but I already knew it was not. The song ended and we all went over to a table that was easier to talk at. I learned that there was a plan to go hotbox a van. It was a specially converted van with exactly 4 seats in the back and they were already cramming in 6 and of course there was no possible way that even one more person could fit. Sherri was as good as she could have been about trying to include me and was naive enough about what was going on to realize that they did not want me included. I desperately hoped for a “Little Beaaaaan!” chant from someone who would make me look cool. Or have my brother… or even Baldy drop by to give me some “in” status, but it never happened. The van was the coolest thing going and I was not going to compete with that. Sherri assured me that they would be back in a little while but I knew it was already too far gone. I’d considered tossing up a hail Mary when I finally realized what I’d left on the patio. It hadn’t been that long… had it?

I said a hasty exit and practically ran to the patio in hopes that just maybe they were still there. Even if they were, was there any possible way to re-create that moment? And do I even want to re-create it? I threw open the door and smiled for a second, there they were, and pretty much exactly where I left them. Wait, she was exactly how I most remember her, bent over and holding onto the railing… with him behind her. I stared in awe for a moment, then someone at a nearby table piped up and said “Hey buddy, are you going to close that d… Holy crap, guys check this out!” The whole table stated to crane their necks to see past me at the show going on. I let the door slip shut and backed away. Soon a crowd of onlookers were pushing their faces to the glass and cupping their hands so that they could see out. The girls who were gawking were shocked; the guys were all high fiving.

Sigh… it could have been me.