As befit a cyclist, L. was simply dressed in a T-shirt and shorts. This did nothig to hide her strong limbs and distracting curves. 
We wandered up the street, looking at paintings and displays of jewellery and crafts. We entered several of the temporary galleries set up in shops along the street, looking at artworks. Many were the normal run-of-the-mill impressionist paintings, but there was also a lot of glass craftwoprk and jewellery, and some of the sculpture was genuinely disturbing (realistic portrayals of scary-abusive managerial types, for instance). Much of the artwork was juried, and I’m now thinking about doing some myself. I can draw (although not necessarily paint) better than half these people.
We had some food in an outdoor patio that had been expanded into the street for the occasion. We talked about all kinds of things–relationships and work and how the summer had been and a certain dangerous manager who spread psychological destruction (and pink slips) through the workplace. We agreed on the importance of touch and massage to maintain sanity. L. had a way of asking all kinds of questions, and I had to remember to ask lots of questions back (still a new skill for me–I was brought up Not To Pry).
We continued walking after eating. It had become quite warm, and I was starting to feel overdressed in my long pants–shorts seemed much more logical. L. met an acquaintance from her craft guild (‘fibre arts’) at one of the booths. We stopped to take in a performance of First Nations singing. We investigated a funky used book-and-disc shop (note: large cache of electronica and vinyl. Must return.)
I gradually gained the impression, however, that she was not really interested in Romance. I was, but I know now that you can’t force it if it isn’t there. We parted with a hug as she prepared her bike for the ride home. She thanked me for the idea to go to the Festival–she’d done a bit of shopping, even for Christmas.
All in all, it worked out very well. I may not have found Romance, but I think I’ve found a hell of a good friend.
