JoeAnn

I don't often travel for my job, actually it was over two years since the last time. The slow economy that caused the housing market to crumble, was a golden opportunity for our small realty firm. Properties in Florida were being dumped onto the market- and we had the necessary commodity, cash.

I flew down, spent three days in Fort Lauderdale making commitments and prepared to come home. I had spent $700,000 of the firm's money on properties worth five times that amount when the market would return, even if it took a year or two, we would be in a good position. As I prepared to check out of my hotel, a hurricane warning was posted and Ft. Lauderdale was canceling all flights. I wasn't in a hurry really, not since a week ago when my wife Sally and I had a pretty good falling out. So it looked like I was going to stay. I would have preferred to spend a day on the beach, but not today it seemed.

I had dinner alone of course, as I had all week however this time there was what seemed like a small private party going on. I sat closer to the bar area just to have some privacy. I should tell you about myself-I'm 55, gray hair, slightly balding on the top. I'm a little heavier than I'd like for my height of 5'10 but I know I can work it off in a few weeks. I think people like me, I'm not bad looking for my age and I clean up well. I try to be a good listener and I have a good sense of humor too. While enjoying my medium rare steak, an attractive woman that was sitting at the bar glanced over at me. She sipped her drink twice more, then glanced back. I smiled and nodded while sipping my Merlot. That got her to smile back and dip her head, she'd been caught.

"Got canceled to huh?" She said.

"Yep, it could have been worse, I could have checked out, gone to the airport and spent the night there."

"Ughh...I've been there." she smiled and sipped again.

"I'll just stay here, eat, drink and let it all blow over." I said finishing the last bite of the sirloin. "Why don't you join me?" Two glasses of Merlot had emboldened me.