Veronica

Let me start by saying I have always had good looking friends. Very good looking. Throughout my childhood, adolescence and young adulthood I have watched as eyes followed whatever friend I was walking next to. Add to the mix two stunning sisters and you get the picture. Now, before you go rubbing your fingers together, imitating the world's smallest violin, I will also say that I have received my fair share of attention too, so I'm not complaining - just observing a fact. But nothing prepared me for Veronica. Veronica is Bolivian. She is the wife of a co-worker of Miriam's, so Miriam invited her to our drinks/cheese & crackers last night after work. Predictably late, Veronica breezed onto the back porch as I sat mid-chew on my fourth helping of snacks. She made her introductions and sat down. Soon she had us all captivated by her halting English, lilting accent and storytelling ability. Not only beautiful, she was funny and used the kind of hand gestures you later try out on friends who weren't around at the time and try to claim as your own. "Oh! did I say that with a Spanish accent? Sorry, must be the two weeks I spent in Mexico on spring break three years ago," then insert what you believe is an attractive, tinkling laugh only to open your eyes after the laugh and see the looks of embarassment on your friend's faces - the friends who have actually known you for years. As if in a trance, I finally shook my head and looked up from what was more a monologue than a conversation, only to realize in horror we were all basically huddled around Veronica. Our chairs had been turned towards her, our bodies perched at the edge of our seats, ready to leap forward at any moment, and every now and again I could hear the actual scrape of a chair being pushed ever-so-slightly forward. This post has gone on too long - I'll put up these pictures and let you see for yourself. My favorite aspect of these photos is the jarring difference between me in the straw hat and Veronica in the next, being Veronica. PS - you may have trouble with which one is Veronica b/c like I said, I have very pretty friends, but she is the one to the far left.