Benny Colon had been to a bunch of these levels conferences before . This one happened to be in Philadelphia and also during a week when business was fairly slow at TAC. So it helped him learn a few new things and also sort of get a vacation. But what he didn't count on was meeting someone who would become a big part of his life.
He walked into the room where the conference was being held that day at the hotel. He saw a seat at the end of a row of soft looking chairs near a blond woman. So he walked in that direction to see if anyone else was sitting there.
" Excuse me is this seat taken? He could smell something lightly floral and it made his heart skip a beat.
She turned and said " It is by you.", and she smiled.
" Thank you." He held out his hand. " Benjamin Colon but my friends call me Benny."
" Valerie Stone." She replied. " Nice to meet you Benny."
" You're not from around here."
" Actually I'm from a little town in Texas called Callisto."
" I've heard of it. You wouldn't know a Diana Lindsay would you?"
" Shoot she's only my law partner well one of them and my best friend why?"
" She dates my boss."
" Well isn't this a small world."
" It certainly is." He reaches into his pocket and pulled out a cherry flavored Jolly Rancher candy and then handed one to Valerie as well. " Sometimes my mouth gets dry at these things, these help."
" Aren't you a gentleman. Thank you." She said.
" If you don't have plans for dinner after class I know there is a good brewery a short distance from the hotel that we could walk to and get a casual bite."
" I'd like that , I can meet you in the lobby after I freshen up a bit."
" Good, we can make it six fifteen since we finish here at five."
" All right. I'll look forward to it."
Then the conference started for the day.
Five forty five pm: Valerie dialed her best friend for a pep talk. " This guy at the conference asked me for dinner. I said I'd go but I guess I'm wondering should I. He seems like a gentleman and I don't know I'm probably being silly and he's kind of cute. It's not like I have to see him again when the week is over after all." She took a deep breath for a moment. Then Diana listened and replied.
" Val, have a fling for once in your life. At the worst you can make a new friend. I don't think he would have asked you to dinner if he wasn't a kind man."
" You're right thanks Di, I'm meeting him downstairs on the lobby. The hotel heat has been doing a number on my hair but I think I have it looking decent,"
" You'll be fine. Just be casual."
" I will and I'll let you know how it goes."
" Good."
Meanwhile Benny was downstairs having changed into some darker jeans and a cream colored sweater. He wandered into the gift shop of the hotel thinking he'd get a little something for Valerie. He saw a candy bar with a wrapper that said Philadelphia on it and also a little stuffed bear with a t shirt on that had the same thing on the front and picked both up. Then he found a bag with some purple flowers on it and paid for the three things. It seemed like a nice friendly gift for someone he was getting to know.
He headed out to the lobby and found a comfortable chair and then flipped through the local paper.
Then he heard heels click up to him and saw Valerie wearing an olive green blazer with a black top and some pants with a little leopard print on the side of one leg.
He handed her the gift bag.
" What's this?" Her face lit up.
" Just a little something from here."
" Well that's sweet, Mr. Colon." She smiled.
" Good."
Then they headed out the front door of the hotel and walked to the brewery.
" It's supposed to have good food and some different flavored beers." Benny said.
" Well I guess we're going to find out. If they have a decent way of making French fries I'll be happy."
" A lady after my own heart." He smiled.
" I don't indulge very often."
" Then I think we both can have a treat."
" Yes we can."
When they got to the brewery , Benny held the door open for her to walk in.
" I didnt think men did that anymore. Thank you."
" My mother would kick my butt if I didn't treat a woman with respect ." He said softly .
" I see."
They went to the desk to ask about a table and told there was a fifteen minute wait. So they were given a buzzer and a list of the beers and some of the appetizer items to look at,
Benny said " I might try this apple flavored ale."
" I was thinking the chocolate stout sounded good and they have French fries,". Valerie smiled.
" Yes they do, I think I want some of the fried mozzarella sticks too."
" All right."
They sat down on a soft looking lounge seat to wait for their table to be ready .
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