The One that Got Away- Part 2

Before we begin, if you have not read The one that got away, please do so now or none of this will make any sense.

-continued from part one.

As I got into my car to drive back to the hotel, I couldn’t help feeling a little sad that I would never see this young woman again. I had just had one of the best nights of my life with a woman who had it all – which when you think about it – seems a little strange seeing just five hours earlier, I had no idea she existed. But that’s the way I felt.

Logic and common sense tried to kick in and tell me just to appreciate the night I had and lock it away in the “wonderful memories” section of my mind and move on. As Angela was going to be a married woman in two short weeks, there was nothing I could have done to change that. Nor would I have wanted to. Logic and common sense won the day and I moved on.

But I couldn’t get her out of my mind. Perfect nights like these don’t come around that often. The way she looked was etched into my mind. The way we were together on and off the dance floor was etched into my mind. Don’t get me wrong, I realized I would never see her again and any thoughts I had after that night were pure fantasy. I’m a romantic – but I’m not an idiot.

The following week or so was back to business as usual. Working during the day, dancing at night. Weekends at home catching up on yard work or other business.

As fate would have it, I found myself back in Long Beach, Ca. and was looking forward to another night of dancing at one of my favorite clubs.

Yep – you guessed it – Bobby McGees.

Bobby McGees Conglomeration, for those of you who are most likely too young to know, were – in my opinion – one of the best restaurant/dance clubs to go to. They dotted the US and there was even one in Hawaii (which I was fortunate enough to go to as the manager there – who I knew personally – had transferred from a club I frequented often.)

This was not the kind of dance club you walked into wearing shorts and a tank top. It didn’t matter what night it was, you dressed up and so did the women. There were never any fights – at least none that I heard of and people were polite. Many who went there during the week were regulars who I got to know so it was always fun. I knew most of the waitresses and staff, especially the DJ. They treated me very well as I never had to wait in line to get in and my drink was usually at my table before I sat down.

Above is the only photo I could find and while it’s of the restaurant and not the nightclub, the interior design is similar and will at least give you a feeling of what the club was like.

I think this is a good time to mention that I never went to a dance club with the intentions of picking up women. I went there to dance. I loved to dance and to this day, I’m probably a better dancer than most 22 year old males. That being said, I would be lying if I said I went back to my hotel alone every single time I went out dancing, but that was rare. Very rare.

Tonight was no different. I always made it a point to bring three sets of what I called “dancing clothes” with me each week along with my trusty portable steamer to take out any wrinkles from being in the hanging suit bag.

I also made it a point to arrive at the club a little early to avoid the lines and to secure my table I always sat at.

Arriving at the club and after being greeted at the door by one of the staff, I went directly to my table with my usual drink not too far behind. After playing catch-up with my waitress who I had gotten to know over time, I settled in for another night of people watching and dancing.

Thirty minutes or so later, the people started pouring in. Singles, couples, groups, all there for their own reasons except one – which was to have fun dancing, being with friends with the possibility of making new ones.

I know what you’re thinking…….. quit smiling, I know what you’re thinking.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a group of people entering the club. Some holding souvenirs the club sold like mugs and such in their hands, looking like a family who had come from having dinner.

I really couldn’t see all the faces of this particular group as they were making their way in from the restaurant but I did notice one thing. A long yellow dress with flowers printed on it. It was unmistakable. Like a beacon in a foggy night my eyes were glued to it. I had to see if there were actually two women on the planet who owned that dress.

I still couldn’t see. I found myself trying to move people out of the way with my mind. [Move! Move! Come on…. I can’t see.]

The very second she came into view I knew it. There was only one who owned that dress. The flowing black hair, beautiful brown skin and eyes that could capture the heart of any man who gazed into them. It was Angela.

I can’t remember what happened next. My heart skipping a beat or my breath being taken away. Here was the woman who I never in a million years thought I would see again walking into the club.

As she looked like she was with family, I had absolutely no idea what to do. She hadn’t seen me yet but my table was situated where I knew she would eventually. She and whom I assumed were her family were seated in an alcove slightly up and away from the dance floor which was reserved for groups of guests, so I lost sight of her once they were seated.

I just didn’t know what to do, but the one thing I knew I wasn’t going to do was walk up and say hello, forcing her to have to explain how we knew each other to her family. Again – I’m a romantic – but not an idiot.

The dance floor was in the middle of the club with tables circling it. I was sitting in an alcove also, up and away from the path around the dance floor that was constantly being walked in order to find an available table or for prospective dance partners.

It was getting pretty busy by then so you really couldn’t tell who was there unless they were right in front of you. While looking around the club, I felt the soft touch of someones hand as she took mine. Her words were music to my ears when she said, ‘would you like to dance?”

I turned my head to say yes and there she was. Right in front of me. With a smile that…. well, words can’t describe. Hand in hand we walked to the dance floor. It was a slow song and once on the dance floor she immediately put her arms around my neck – mine around her waist and just looked into each others eyes with delight. She then laid her head against my chest and said “I never thought I’d see you again.” then looking back up at me saying, “I’m so happy you’re here.” All I could respond with was “The feeling is mutual.”

The DJ always played two slow songs in a row so I knew I had time to ask her why she was at the club. She said she was with her family having dinner together because she was to be married that weekend. I didn’t know if this was fate, or the universe playing a dirty trick on me but I didn’t care. At least I have her in my arms again – even if it were to be the final time.

After the dance, she took my hand and asked me to join her and her family. My first thought was….. is she crazy? Do she want me killed? She assured me that it would be totally fine. She had told her parents about meeting me here at the club with her friends earlier and the fun she had and they would be fine with my joining them.

We went back to her table. She introduced me to everyone and I have to admit – after meeting her parents – I was surprised I was treated so well. We talked, we laughed and when a good dance song was played, she took my hand and we danced. Especially the slow songs.

I will never forget – during one slow song – a gentleman walked up, tapped me on the shoulder while looking at Angela and said, “Mind if I cut in?” I honestly don’t remember her looking at the guy, only into my eyes smiling, responding with, “No thank you, I’m happy right where I am.”

The rest of the evening was kind of a blur. The only thing I remember is that everyone at the table were having a great time. No awkwardness at all. In fact, by the end of the night, I almost felt like I was part of the family. Strange – but true.

All too soon, it was time to go, we all said our good-byes and Angela told her parents she was going to walk me to my car. Without objection we walked as slowly as we could to make time last. There were things we wanted to say to each other, but knew we couldn’t. While I never imagined the universe would place Angela and I together again, I also knew that this was the last time I would see her. There was just no getting around that fact.

Angela knew this also. There were no words left to say so I just took her in my arms and we kissed. It was the most perfect kiss of my life. That last embrace, that one kiss and all the emotion in it had to last us for the rest of our lives. As our lips parted, she looked up at me with tears and said with bold conviction, “I promise, I will never forget you as long as I live.”

I replied with “The feeling is mutual.” Both of us smiling after I said it.

She walked back to rejoin her family and I never saw her again.

I know in my heart, these many years later that she kept her promise, as I have also in occasionally remembering with great fondness, those two nights we had at Bobby McGees.

I have no regrets, for if I did, I would be dismissing the life I’ve had since and the people I love who are in it. I can only hope she feels the same.

Like Humphrey Bogart said to Ingrid Bergman at the end of Casablanca.

We’ll always have Paris.

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