We had been camping for a week: 5 families with children. The days were hot and the nights so warm it was difficult to sleep until late in the evening. After putting the kids to bed the adults would sit around the fire at picnic tables, talking and laughing and playing cards. It was fun and the company was good, but after a week of it, as stories began to repeat, and personalities began to clash, I was ready to be home.
As the cards were dealt I helped myself to a rum and coke, and then a gin and tonic, followed by a cup of red wine, patiently nodding as another bullshit story was applauded with overweight laughter. The night wore on and I kept myself busy, keeping the fire going, tidying up around the site, engaging in the occasional round of cards, half listening, half enjoying the peaceful evening stars as they came out one by one--relaxing in the happy buzz of alcohol warming my shirtless chest from the inside.
Slowly the chatter of childbirth dramas and high school reminiscing gave way to droopy eyed moms and dads heading for their too warm RVs for the night. We tented, but it was way too humid to go to bed for me. Happy and flushed I leaned against an empty table. T brushed her teeth and affectionately patted me on the shoulder as she passed for the tent, "Don't watch the stars too late," she laughed. Knowing that I prefer quiet to company, she often knew what to say to let me know everything was okay between us, but that she was done for the night.
"I'll catch up with you in a few," I reassured her.
Soon soft snores rose from the site and I poured myself one last cup of wine, perhaps a little heavily.
Twenty minutes or a half-hour later I found myself beyond a comfortable buzz... I must have been dehydrated from beach bum mornings and salty afternoon tides. I finished my wine, rapidly following it up with 3 glasses of water, and slowly began sauntering to the washroom.
As I approached the lighted building I noticed my balance beginning to fail. I made it in to relieve myself but as I washed my hands I continued to feel the creeping effects of one-too-many drinks. Only two-dozen staggering paces from the bathroom I stopped to rest at a table in the dark. Closing my eyes and waiting for the uncomfortable spinning to stop, I drifted off to sleep.
Several minutes passed--I don't know how long--until I heard the sound of a voice.
"Are you alright?"
"Mmmm. Mhmm, I've just had a little too much to drink. I'll be fine in a few minutes, thanks."
"And with all this heat! You poor thing, have you had some water?"
Unable to move quickly for fear of embarrassing myself I gingerly opened my eyes, noticing the deeply tanned sandaled feet of a small woman wearing white pants and a yoga tank top. The sharp contrast of her darkened skin against the light fabric caught my attention and my eyes slowly worked their way up a petite and fit middle aged figure. I noticed her long sun-bleached hair falling around her shoulders and her bright blue eyes fixed on mine. She studied me for a moment and I held her friendly gaze before looking down. I was mildly annoyed to appear awkwardly tipsy before this attractive stranger.
"You look like you need some time to cool off. Why don't you come with me for a few minutes? My RV is air-conditioned; with some water and air, you'll feel right again in no time."
I was still too drunk to care much, but something about her attractive smile and caring words made me trust her. Alcohol makes me easy going, especially around attractive women. T always joked with me that she needed to get me home quickly if we were out late drinking with friends--like an affectionate puppy I'd eat out of anyone's hand.