Well, I got my invitation yesterday. Joanie and Phil, my neighbors, have been throwing a Christmas Eve Party for "over 40 years," according to Phil. He said the tradition started when they lived in Baltimore and has continued since they moved here to Key West 30 years ago. The party is actually an open house and nearly everyone in what we call the neighborhood comes Joanie said. Here's a list of expected attendees - some of whom I've met and some of whom I have not yet met: Joanie's kids, Patty, Bonnie, Skip, and the 4th one whose name I forget; Sunshine, who just moved in a week ago; Fred and Jean, my neighbors on the other side (seeing Fred drive his Lincoln at age 90 makes me go sit in the boat on the canal until he clears the area); Reese Palley (Google that name for fun) who everyone has been expecting to get here in Key West and who finally arrived last week; Chuck and his lovely girlfriend who live across the canal from me but who I have not yet met; and Joe and Betty who live down the street and to whom I always wave but, again, have not actually met. Conspicuous by their absence will be Capt. Jerry who owns the Yankee Clipper - the boat that goes to the Dry Tortugas daily. He fell and broke his hip and is out of commission, per Joanie. My squeeze (let's just call her, Baby) was forced to fly on very little notice to the Dominican Republic because of a family emergency and probably won't return to Key West until after the new year. Of course I'll be reporting on this group after the party. I'll be providing all the details, who was drunk, who hit on who, and who Bogarted the champagne. What I won't be able to report on is a memorable first Christmas Eve with the special, beautiful woman I wanted to spend it with.
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