ENCOUNTER AT A PARTY BY KIRSTEN

Valet Parking?........huh.........Well, her definition of a small, intimate party and mine were probably two different things. But, what the hell? I had been in London 6 months and this was my first real social occasion that wasn't work/embassy related.  The hostess of this extravaganza was Kate, public relations/publicity maven.  She was the sister of  David, my counterpart at the Home Office.  I had been introduced to her at a party she had arranged and that required David and myself to be there for personal protection services.  The email invitation to an International Come As You Are Party was on the seat beside me with instructions to bring your own National beverage.   That would explain the box of Jell-O shots I grabbed as I got out of the car and handed off my keys.

I had barely made it through the door when my name was squealed "KIRSTEN! YOU MADE IT!!....And what have we here?" she asked as she relieved me of the box.   "Jell-O shots" was my bemused answer, "I'm afraid our only other national drink would be Budweiser Long-necks."  A burst of laughter came from the people around me and several of them pointed to the case of beer brought by other Americans...on the floor...in the corner. "So sad, really." I said, "Tomorrow, when everything else has been consumed...that'll still be sitting there, won't even want to wash your hair with it."

Kate put the box of Jell-O shots in David's hand with orders to pass them around, grabbed me by the hand and proceeded to introduce me to everyone there. She had major friends...a lot I knew from film, TV and music and some by name or reputation but, just as many were anonymous like myself.

We were getting to the end of the meet and greet when I saw him out of the corner of my eye.  Actually, I saw the reflection of the PVC trousers and then I saw who was wearing them.  My throat constricted, my heart speeded up and my brain shut down. "Kirsten, this so-and-so, such-and-such, blab blah blah, Eddie Izzard, and yada yada yada."  I know the smile I gave him was a little more than the standard "pleased to meet you" and the handshake lingered a bit more but, I truly could not believe I was touching him.

David came around just then toting my box of Jell-O shots and at that moment, the idea seemed grossly juvenile but, he gave me a huge grin and said, "These are fabulous, the hit of the party."  "Great." I giggled back as I grabbed one of each flavor.  "Quality Assurance",  I said very professionally to his wondering look.  Mostly, I just wanted some alcohol on board.  He passed the box around the group, including Eddie.  A couple of people were just peering at them curiously when I said, "Just run your tongue around the inside and suck." All heads turned to stare at me but, I mustered up the dignity to say, "I like to think what they lack in sophistication, they make up for in suggestion." This brought shouts of laughter from the group as they all tried my method.  Eddie, who had been standing back but, doing a very good job handling his Jell-O took this opportunity to say "I feel a bit lazy, all I brought was whiskey."  David was pushing the box of Jell-O in my face so, I picked out another and replied with a quick glance, "I didn't realize whiskey was the national drink of Yemen."  Kate came to whisk me away before he could reply with more than a surprised grin.

The next few hours were spent meeting and chatting with quite a few interesting people but, quite honestly I couldn't tell you what those chats regarded.  My brain was still trying to bend itself around the notion that Eddie was in the same room and usually, no more than 10 feet away.

I have made it a very serious habit to always look directly at people when talking to them.  While I am by nature a bit shy, I want them to know that I am listening. A few friends have described my intent look as disconcerting and at times that is the intent but, not often. I am usually very successful with this tact but, tonight, in one circumstance, I was  incapable of doing it. We were in and out of each other's conversational groups all night and I found with Eddie, the best I could do was a sidelong glance. It seemed a bit junior high school in someone my age but, I had no control whatsoever.  And since I didn't imagine I was making an impression one way or another, I didn't really worry about it.

Feeling the need for a breath of fresh air, I stepped out on to the terrace. It seemed empty and I stepped to the rail, closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply, as I did, I got just a hint of cigarette. I opened my eyes and turned to see him dragging on a cig in the corner.  "Do you mind?" he asked.  "No no" I replied as I quickly stared back out into the night.  A few moments elapsed before he murmured "May I ask you a question?"  Quick glance at  him..."Of course."  And he hesitated a bit but, walked towards me and stood very close.   "Why is it that you can look at everyone else directly in the eye, to the point of scaring grown men but, you can barely stand to look at me?"

A weird giggle/cough combination escaped from me as my mind reeled, I couldn't imagine where to begin, I was mentally grasping for anything to say. And then he quietly asked, "Is it...the TV thing?"  The hesitation and uncertainty in his voice galvanized me into action.  I turned and was a bit unnerved by his nearness but, looked directly into those eyes, God, they are lovely, and said with as much dignity as I could, "Mr. Izzard...Eddie...I am afraid that if I looked directly at you, I won't be able to look away, ever.  And that's going to make functioning on a daily basis a bit difficult."

My answer definitely caught him off guard as it did myself.  I think he expected a tirade on his lifestyle and I never expected to admit how much he affected me. But, slowly he came to the realization that I was definitely attracted to him and his face changed from steely and somewhat pain-filled to a shy yet, sly grin of satisfaction.   Suddenly, his hands came up to cradle my face, slid behind my neck and pulled me to him. He kissed me gently at  first and then became more insistent.

I put my hands at his waist and then ran them up, as his sweater was loose, they ended up caressing the bare skin of his back.  We both hesitated for the merest fraction of a second and then continued. After quite some time, he lifted his head, grinned rather mischievously, and asked "Now, what were those instructions again?.....just run your tongue around the inside and suck??"

He drew me to him again and proved that he takes instruction very well.