by the pool table, 6:19 p.m. - OPEN
Rafael waved to Stephan as he entered the room. He glanced around, taking in the milling crowd, searching for faces he recognized. He saw BB first, unsurprisingly occupied with a small group of strangers. There was a punch bowl, of course, though no open bar he could see, and a small snack table. And it was there his gaze alighted, lingering perhaps a moment too long. Chris Rodriguez stood by the snack table, lingering there with a woman he did recognize. He hesitated, weighing his options, wondering what he should do. In the end he remembered a dear friend's advice. He had things to say to Chris, and he would say them, when the time was right.
For the moment, though, he moved to the punch bowl and poured himself a drink, then moved to the wide window looking out from beside the pool table. He could wait for a time, perhaps meet some new neighbors, and find his courage for the later conversation.