Ali's Delight

From the threshold Ali studied the rustic dining room of the Vermont inn. Inviting and warm, the room had a large fireplace burning full logs and table-top candles that cast a golden illumination upon a nearly full room of guests. There were antique tools and appliances such as wood block planes and automatic cherry pitters on shelves along the walls. Yet the room seemed open and uncluttered.

Each of three small candle-lit tables along the right hand wall supported the dinner and Ali assumed, romantic conversation of not quite middle-aged couples. A young man and woman sat at a square table in the center of the room and next to them another young couple with two small blond haired boys. Their goggle masked tans, raccoons in reverse, marked them as skiers. Toward the rear of the room near the fireplace was a large group contributing to the room's vivacity. They were slightly out of focus for the dimness of the light, yet vivid for the effervescence generated by the clinked glasses and enjoyable laughter. They were of similar age so Ali speculated they were a ski club toasting the venerable ski gods who arranged for such a perfect day of skiing. Groups of four were at almost all of the other tables. Only two tables were empty.

"Dining alone tonight?" The hostess from off to the side startled Ali causing her to jump.

"Yes, yes I am."

"I didn't mean to give you a start"

"It's okay I was just daydreaming."

Following the hostess, Ali recognized the couple seated near the young family at the same time they recognized her.

"Hello Ali", the young woman said smiling openly. Her husband began to get up as Ali approached.

"Hello, hello" Ali repeated. "Please, stay seated."

"Nonsense" Paul said as he stood, took her hand and leaned forward with a polite little peck on the cheek.

Alison had just met them earlier that day in the ski-racing clinic she took at the ski area. She was not a very good racer but she enjoyed the challenge and wanted to improve. It also seemed like a good an opportunity to meet young athletic boys.

Paul and his wife, Lindsey were both good skiers and who had met their freshmen year at Middlebury college where they started dating the very day they both failed to make the final cut for the ski team. They told Ali all of this during the clinic. They were friendly, talkative people and Ali liked teaming up with them during the day. Lindsey was a good female comrade amongst all the males in the clinic and gave Ali pointers that made some of the things the coaches were saying easier to understand and put into practice. That she occupied herself with them during the day was probably also the reason she was dateless and dining alone tonight. Yet Ali often enjoyed being alone in a place like this allowing herself to observe and eavesdrop on the other guests.

"You're not here alone are you?"

"Yes actually I am."

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