Chapter 64: My Second Dinner With Andrea, Part 1

Dinner was calling. I was actually hungry. As Mallory exited the garden, I realized I hadn’t collected my dinner ticket. I returned to the Lawn and headed to the registration table in front Cabell Hall, hoping the ticket table was still there.

            A short line had formed. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who had failed to follow Barb Sussman’s directions to the letter. I obediently took my place at the end of the line and looked down at my shoes, avoidant of eye contact. I needed a break from “reunion.”

            The universe had other plans.

            It was the voice. Coming from the head of the line.

            “Yes. I-e not e-i. Lieberman.”

            God, are you kidding me?

            I had no choice but to look up. It was her. Finishing the transaction, she collected her ticket and stepped aside. As she turned, I realized how much she looked like the young woman who I’d met on these steps four decades before. She still stood a head taller than the women around her, posture erect and confident. No dowager’s stoop here.

            As she approached, I was faced with the prospect of ignoring her or speaking up. If I wanted to, I could turn and let her be absorbed by the crowd. No harm, no foul. In a moment of curiosity and affection I looked up and said, “Is it still Lieberman with an i-e, not e-i?”

            “Drew. I can’t believe it.”

            “What are you doing in the slacker’s line? Have you stopped following rules entirely?” I laughed.

            Andrea leaned in, conspiratorially. “Worse. I’m obscenely late. My plane just got in. What did I miss?” And then, “God, it’s nice to see you, Drew.”

            “You, too, Andy.”

            “No one’s called me that since graduation.”

            “Sorry. Force of habit.”

            “No. I like it. Brings back some good memories.”

            “You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that. Are you headed over to the dinner?”

            “Yes. I’m still a little wound up. I could use something to eat. We hit turbulence over Denver. There was a storm at JFK and we circled for half an hour. They lost my bags somewhere between JFK and Charlottesville.” She stopped to exhale. “Listen to me. Let’s start over. I’m really glad to see you.”

            “Is your husband with you?”

            “Actually, no. But that’s another story.” She slowed, then brightened a little. “How about you? I’d read that you’re married, and a big-shot author and therapist. See? I was right all along. I knew you’d make good.”

            “No. John couldn’t make it this time. It’s a work thing.”

            “Ahh.” Andrea nodded in understanding.

            “And you? I read that you’re what, VP of development at Microsoft? Not too shabby, Andy.”

            “Former VP. I retired last June. I’ve spent the past year visiting my grandchildren and figuring out what to do with myself.”

            “I’ve got an idea. I’ll get my dinner ticket and then we’ll get you a cocktail. Gin and tonic with lemon?”

            “Well, that’s another story in itself. The short version is I’m sober, Drew.” She made the fake monster face to ward off any tension. “Thirteen years, this October. Actually it 12 years, 14 days, and…” looking at her watch, “six hours, to be precise.”

            “Good for you,” was my instant and sincere response. “I have some insight into what an accomplishment that is. Half my practice involved addiction recovery for most of the last 15 years.”

            “So, you know all the right things to say to help me feel comfortable in this situation.”

            “Situation?”   

            “I mean the reunion activities. The whole weekend is basically a series of cocktail parties and receptions strung together with meals, meet-and-greets, and fund-raising speeches. Did I miss anything?”

            “No, you’ve pretty much nailed the agenda. As for missing anything this afternoon, nothing much so far. Just a lot of alcohol and chance meetings. Lots of catching up conversations.”

            “Tired of reminiscing?”

            “With you? Never. I’d love to catch up. If you’re not meeting anyone, would you be my dinner date? We can actually sit down and talk like civilized people.”

            “That would be lovely.”