The convention at the hotel was going
great. It was a four-day weekend, and only a select few people got to be invited
to the cocktail party/reception for the guest of honor. This convention was
a one of a kind – it was for Eddie Izzard, popular British comedian/actor and
“Executive Transvestite” as he liked to be called. The first two days were all
about answering questions, viewing movies and television shows that Eddie had
done, a talent exhibition as well as a comedy workshop led by Eddie.
Jen was one of the lucky few to be invited to the cocktail
party. There was a drawing held based on a short essay written by the conventioneers.
At the beginning, those who wanted to meet and greet Eddie up close and personal
had to answer one question: “What is the most meaningful and genuine thing you
could give to Eddie if you only had ten minutes.” For Jen it was easy – there
were two things that she could think of – one was giving him a huge hug, not
just one that was rough and brisk, but one that was sweet and gentle that carried
a message of great compassion and appreciation. The other was a good shoulder
rub. She knew that she was good at it and could convey much of the same appreciation
to the person whose shoulders she was massaging. All of the entries were read
over by his assistants. Then the “finalists” got passed on to Eddie. That’s
what made this reception so special – everyone was there because Eddie chose
them. Quite the honor indeed.
The cocktail party started at 7 in the evening and was closed
off to the rest of the conventioneers. The chosen few were lined up by the door
inside the hotel’s small ballroom, while Eddie very graciously and smoothly
shook hands with and smiled at each person in line. As always – he was radiant,
make-up done to perfection, sparkling blue eyes, stiletto heels, black leather
pants, a vibrantly colored glittery shirt accented with a coordinating scarf
about his neck. During the reception he took the time to get to know everyone
better. There is only so much you can talk about in an hour before the whole
crowd would rush in.
Soon it was Jen’s turn. Eddie approached her and she tried
very hard to not look like a giddy schoolgirl, although she certainly felt like
one. He walked with a graceful command that spoke to his confidence in everything
he had done and the work he was doing. She tried so hard not to stare – but
his presence held her there, his gaze bound her, she was his captive. He had
that look on his face with a knowing grin, his ice blue eyes holding her where
she stood.
He held his hand out to
her and said “Hello, I’m Eddie – and what is your name my dear?”
Jen stood wide-eyed with
her mouth open and after a moment, gently took his hand and said “Jen – my name
is Jen”.
Eddie smiled a warm smile
and said, “It’s lovely to meet you Jen. Now – which Jen were you? There were
three in the drawing you know.”
Jen smiled a little and
said “Oh, I’m the one who would give you a hug and or a shoulder rub if you
so desire.”
Eddie’s eyes flashed with
recognition as he remembered the essay she had written. “Ah yes – I remember
that one. Hugs or Shoulder massage eh? Kind of like cake or death don’t you
think?” That put Jen at ease and she laughed. Eddie just smiled, glad that he
had gotten her to laugh. “So – which do you recommend, the hug or the shoulder
rub?” he asked in a faux serious voice sounding like he was ordering an exquisite
meal at a fancy restaurant.
Jen mirrored his tone and
said, “Ah – the hugs are quite fresh today and go well with cocktails. The shoulder
rubs are also very good – and they are better suited for being consumed just
before bedtime.”
Eddie giggled at her humor
and said, “Right then – I shall have the hugs please.” Jen smiled a big smile
and said “An excellent choice sir.”
Eddie held his arms out and Jen did the same. She moved in
close to him and gently, firmly, sweetly, wrapped her arms around his torso.
She placed her right hand towards the nape of his neck, and the left hand was
placed down towards his mid-back. She felt his arms around her take a similar
placement. She held him and squeezed gently. She visualized the adoration she
felt for him as a white and pink glittery beam. She saw the beam move from her
heart to encompassing him. He felt wonderful, she could hear his heartbeat,
and hear his breath when he inhaled and exhaled. She could have stayed there
all night. But she knew that he had other guests to attend too. She felt his
arms begin to release – and realized that she needed to let go.
Jen took a small step back and looked into Eddie’s eyes. They
had changed somehow. It was almost as if he felt what she was sending him –
like he understood. He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her
eyes with a genuine care and fondness for his new friend and said, “That was
wonderful. I haven’t been hugged like that in a very long time. Thank you.”
Jen smiled a sweet smile,
placed her palms up by Eddie’s cheeks and said “You give us so much joy and
laughter in the best possible way. I should be thanking you. You are quite welcome
– anytime.” He gave her shoulders a slight squeeze, placed his hands around
hers, brought them down to his chest level – and kissed the backs of her hands,
never breaking the gaze between his eyes and hers.
Eddie brought Jen’s hands
down to waist level, smiled at her and said “I need to go and attend the others
now. I’ll see you around the hotel later on, yeah?”
She nodded and said, “You
got it”. Eddie turned and walked to the next person he was to meet and greet.
Fairly soon, the doors were open to the rest of the conventioneers.
Everyone piled in and there was food, beverage, dancing – lots of dancing. The
night wore on and Jen could see that Eddie was having a great time dancing with
his assistants, and some of the other guests as well. Jen wasn’t much of a dancer
– although a few of her new friends convinced her to get up on the dance floor.
She didn’t think she was all that great. She was short with brown hair and brown
eyes. She could let the music move her – but that was about the extent of it.
Even Eddie came over to her on the dance floor for a moment. He had snuck up
behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and rocked her from side to side
with the beat of the fast paced techno dance song that was playing.
“You see, you’ve got to loosen up a bit more – put your hips
into it.” He instructed.
“Thanks! I’ll remember that for next time” Jen said in a slight
state of shock.
Eddie had moved on to other parts of the dance floor. Jen had
stayed for only a few moments more and she decided that she had had enough of
the smoke, and wanted to leave for her room. She informed her friends of her
plan and they agreed to meet up later. She went to her room, changed into something
more comfortable then party clothes, picked up her lap harp and headed down
to the glass enclosed sun-moon room off of the main lobby. She found a great
spot to sit on one of the large comfy couches, with a great view of the night
sky. It was a full moon this night and Jen looked to it for a little inspiration.
She closed her eyes, took a deep breath of clean air, placed her harp in her
lap, placed her fingers on the nylon strings and began to play.
She played random melodies and some older tunes that she had
been taught over the years. Jen took great comfort and spiritual connection
with this instrument of hers. It gave her peace and strength through the overall
sound of the harp itself. On the other end of the corridor walked a grouping
of people; it was Eddie and his entourage. Eddie stopped for a moment to hear
what this sound was coming from the other room. He called after his assistants
“I’ll catch up with you later.” And waved them off. He walked up the corridor,
the music getting louder as he got closer to the large room. He came in as quietly
as a cat and watched as Jen was playing this small instrument. She stopped playing
for a moment and looked up. Eddie’s presence surprised her.
“Please, don’t stop – that was beautiful.” He said as he began
walking towards the couch where Jen was sitting.
“Oh – it was nothing, I
just ramble on sometimes”. Jen replied, “But thank you for the compliment”.
“Is it ok if I sit next
to you?” Eddie asked politely.
“Of course it’s ok – please
join me.” Jen said with a smile.
Eddie turned to face her
“You left a little early tonight didn’t you?”
“I did.” Jen confessed.
“I was tired of the smoke and everything and I’m really not that much of a dancer.
So I decided to come here and to play around if you will.”
Eddie nodded in acknowledgement
“I know what you mean – the smoke began to get to me as well – and I’m a smoker.”
They continued on with their conversation about where Jen was from, how long
she had been playing the harp, how she had a much larger one at home, and various
things. Eddie yawned and immediately apologized – stating that it certainly
wasn’t the company. He asked if he could lay down with his head on her lap.
Jen obliged him. Eddie placed his feet up on the large overstuffed arm of the
couch where they were seated, and he snuggled into Jen’s thigh. It’s a good
thing I changed into cotton stretch pants, she thought. She positioned her
hands again and resumed her playing.
She played on into the night, with the stars glittering overhead,
and the acoustics of the room making each sound more vibrant then usual. After
a time she had noticed that Eddie’s breathing had changed. He was now breathing
deep and heavy with one hand on Jen’s thigh. She paused for a moment to stroke
his hair down to his cheek with the backs of her fingers, stopping after caressing
his shoulder. Poor thing, I wonder when the last time it was that he had
a good night’s sleep. She wondered. She changed how she was going to play.
This time she played melodies that were equally as pleasing to the ear as they
were energizing to the spirit. The sound sweetly made it’s way around the room
and filled the glass room with such a sweet and pleasant sound. She played and
played..until she saw the first ribbon of sunlight peek out from behind the
trees.
Jen changed the tune again – this one a little more upbeat
– to gently stir her sleeping bloke beauty. Eddie opened his eyes, yawned and
sat up. He looked around and looked at Jen and apologized for falling asleep
on her. He turned his gaze to the opposite side of the room and realized that
the sun was coming up. He squinted and then looked surprised and then slightly
embarrassed.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep
on you for so long Jen – I’m sorry.”
Jen smiled “It’s ok Eddie
– honestly. How do you feel?”
Eddie hadn’t really thought
about it and after a moment said “I feel..good, surprisingly good, actually.”
“Good” Jen replied.
Eddie looked at Jen and
said, “Look, um – would you like to come back to my room for some coffee or
something?”
Jen looked into Eddie’s
eyes and said, “Yes, I would be honored to join you.” Eddie smiled, and held
out his arm. Jen picked up her harp and curled her hand into the crook of Eddie’s
arm. They walked out of the sunroom, down the corridor, to the elevators that
led to Eddie’s room.
