Solitude is so overrated

Seldom do my weekends grant me solitude. Although an appealing notion, achieving such would involve a vacation from my family. And since I’m serving a debt-induced life sentence with Mama and Daddy, there are few escapes from my crowded living arrangement.

Yet last weekend offered a reprieve with a pet-sitting post in Drewry. The Warren County residence was a welcome pardon from my parents despite its 18 pets, which greeted me with barks, meows and a few nips and scratches. And while I was corralling Shih Tzus and calico cats at the animal ranch, I received a phone call from the other end of the county.

“Gina!” came the cheerful voice of my friend Sears Bugg. “Do you have any dinner plans?”

Sears explained that he and his fianceé Michelle were hosting a dinner for Kinston native Boyce Cheek and his lady-friend Laura. And although I’d befriended Boyce a few years back on Facebook, I’d never met the man.

“I’ll be there!” I affirmed as I finished the phone call and rounded up the four-legged herd for its feast of Kibbles ‘n Bits.

The rural route from Drewry to Warrenton was winding and GPS dependent. Yet I made my way to the town’s historic district and then to Country Club Road.

“Downtown Warrenton is so charming,” I said, smiling at Sears as I climbed forth from my Ford Escape. “It’s absolutely picturesque.”

As I commended Sears on his hometown’s appeal, Boyce greeted me, bearing a broad grin.

“Gina?” he asked before hugging me hello. “It’s so good to finally meet you.”

“I know,” I said as I sidled up to Boyce. “It’s about time!”

Our trio approached the kitchen door where another mutual pal peered through the paned window.

“Hi Robert!” I said, surprised that our evening was evolving into a Warren County reunion.

Moments later, we gathered in the kitchen and sliced chunks of homemade cheese, compliments of Laura.

“This is so good,” I said as I savored a sample of Gouda. “It’s the perfect ending to my work week.”

Our conversation then convened by the dining room table. Draped with a cream-colored cloth, the table was set with gold-rimmed china and miniature berries bundled together as napkin holders. Yet these ornate embellishments couldn’t outclass the centerpiece — chicken marbella marvelously prepared from The Silver Palate Cookbook.

“This is delicious,” I sighed with my first bite of the artistically adorned fowl.

I soon realized Sears was engaged to a fashionable, physically fit Martha Stewart.

“I’m going to prepare dessert,” Michelle said as she excused herself from the dinner table.

And that’s when Sears sabotaged Michelle’s elegant meal.

“Uh-oh,” he said, after accidentally knocking over Laura’s glass of red wine. Despite his cleaning strides, Laura’s place setting was stained with purple streaks.

“I did that on purpose,” Sears then laughed, lifting his glass of ice water to our party, “because I wanted everyone to feel comfortable!”

While dubious of Sears’ declaration, I didn’t doubt his sentiment. For as we toasted our friendship with fudge brownie desserts and a serving of spirits, I realized that fellowship exceeds even the most exquisite culinary presentations.

And solitude is overrated.