The day completely flew by. I lost track of time as my mind was occupied elsewhere. I looked at the clock at 5pm and rushed to reapply make-up, brush my teeth, and to take a deep breath. The "soiree" was a private reception in an intimate setting with the wealthy and powerful, the benefactor, the publisher, the editor, an author or two, the artist, the President's wife, and me- the peasant.It was held in a quaint house just a thousand or so square feet larger than mine though in a neighborhood where prices are five times that of the one I live in (location, location, location). Secret Service cased the premises. I stepped in the front door greeted by a woman I hold in high regard, the Executive Director of the Texas Book Festival, and then was escorted to the dining room.
Standing at the end of the table was a beautiful face I had seen many times before, but never this close. It was as if it was the most natural thing to see her and at the same time the most un-natural. She entertains queens and heads-of-state, makes decisions that affect the wealthiest nation on the planet, sleeps next to the man who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders (granted, the least popular man in the world as well), and this tiny, powerful woman is standing 4 feet in front of me. My boss asks the professional camera man to take a picture of me with the First Lady. There is a "receiving" line for her, and we are next. She knows my boss and asks how he is. He introduces me. I flatten my hand against my pants to make sure my palms aren't sweaty; yes, lets avoid a really embarrassing ordeal. I shake her hand and she repeats my name. I say, "It's very nice to meet you", though I wanted to say "it's an honor". So I throw that in there as well. Cameras flash in the background. My boss does all the talking, and the meeting lasts maybe 2 minutes. There is a line behind us and we are not the only people who desire an "audience with the queen". "It was nice to meet you." And we move on. I could have stared at her all night! Such a lovely lady in many ways.
Being greeted by Mary when we walked in did put me at greater ease, but it still was a very intimidating environment. I was aware that I was the poorest person in the room, but I was also aware that I was one of the tallest (literally heads above most). Several dead fish hand shakes met my naive, full one; there were a few strong ones as well. The Book Festival staff were friendly and helpful, and my boss is a very outgoing person-- so I was more relaxed than expected. I came out of hiding just a bit (like a timid turtle poking its head out), did utter one witty statement, and found good conversation with the computer tech and his girlfriend. We talked of literature and travel, two of my favorite subjects. By the end of the evening, my boss was dragging me away.
After my boss and I returned to the office, I met Deborah and Carla for tea. Yes, meeting the "queen" is exciting, an experience I won't soon forget. What a day, or rather evening, it was. I have to say though that ending the evening with friends and loved ones was truly the icing on the cake for me.
Follow this Statesman link on the event:
http://www.statesman.com/news/mplayer/news/26806
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