It wasn't the best of times. It was closer to the worst of times. I had just turned 28 years old. My boyfriend Tom, whom I thought I loved, did not surprise me with a ring. Nor had he on Valentine’s Day or the Christmas before. But wait. There was talk of a wedding! It was his younger sister Lorraine's. She was 23, and after a short engagement, was set to wed. This only made me feel sadder and older. My boyfriend was marrying his job, not me. I was ready to break up this dead-end relationship.

Tom was a member of the wedding party as he had become close to his future brother-in-law. That would leave me alone for most of the ceremony and the reception; Tom would be seated at the dais. I reluctantly agreed to attend Lorraine's wedding.

The big day came. The bride was beautiful. The groom was dashing. The wedding party, Tom included, was dressed resplendently. Tom's bridal party partner was beautiful, much to my chagrin. During the time between the ceremony and the reception I felt like crying. But I stayed strong. I attended the reception expecting to be alone for the most part.

Tom escorted me into the reception hall and we found my table. We talked a while and finished the wine we had brought from the cocktail hour. Too soon, Tom was called to the dais for yet more pictures. I was left essentially unescorted. I left the table to use the rest room. When I returned, there she was. My first glimpse of her was her profile.  Her blonde tresses hung lazily over her shoulders. The black dress she wore was conservative but not matronly. She had fine features. She was seated next to my seat. She was with a man.

I sidled up to the table. I took my seat as her boyfriend held his a glance a bit too long. They both turned to me. I sheepishly introduced myself. "Hi, my name is Kathy," I said.

Her boyfriend stood. "I'm Michael," said he, "and this is Beth Ann." 

What a beautiful name, I thought. "Hello Beth Ann, hello Michael," I said. They seemed like a fine young couple. After some small talk, Michael announced that he too was in the wedding party. A friend of the groom. He left shortly and Beth Ann and I were now partners.

She was easy to talk to and had a youthful exuberance. As we talked, I noticed that her facial skin was unblemished and smooth. She was younger than I first thought. I judged about 21 years old. Her eyes were a pleasant blue. Her eyelashes were long with a nice natural curl. We came to find that we had much in common. We were members of the same health club, albeit at different locations. We both were joggers and bicyclists. We both loved Chinese food and love stories. We shared an abhorrence to rap music and horror films. I asked about her occupation.

"I'm a student,” she said. "Studying biology and pre-med." It figured. She seemed logical, scientific, and to the point.

She asked about me. "I'm a nurse,” said I. She liked that. "What year of college are you in?' I asked.

Soon the salad was served. As she turned to the waiter I glanced at her furtively. Her hair was parted on the top left. The color of her earrings matched the color of her eyes. The dress did her no justice. It concealed the fact that she was quite well endowed. Her waist size was indeterminable, but her legs