Dear Husband is a gregarious talker, famous in our circles for his ability to talk to a tree trunk (and his willingness to do it). As a result, he knows lots and lots of people. Sure, we've lived here all our lives and of course we know lots.
He was a Scoutmaster. One of the assistant scoutmasters was always amazed at his ability to find somebody he knows almost anywhere they go.
Our twins graduated from high school, and our family vacation that year was a trip to New York City. Son and I had been on a band trip the previous year, but it would be daughter's and husband's first trip. The night before we left, DH was telling us about the previous weekend's troop canoeing trip. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive from our town, and the assistant scoutmaster had told him, "I'll bet you won't know anyone on THIS river."
They haul the canoes to the river's edge and prepare to launch.
"Hey Mike!" floats a voice from a fisherman in the middle of the river. Yep. A friend.
Downstream they paddle. After about a hour, they pass another group in canoes. "Hey Mike!" comes from one of the canoes. Another friend.
They pull the canoes out of the stream, load up and pitch tents at the campground. "Hey Mike!" is heard across the camping area.
Next day, we arrive at the airport and are in the waiting area for our flight to Atlanta.
"Hey Mike!" It's the assistant scoutmaster and a work friend, heading off on a business trip. ASM turns to his friend and says, "This is the guy I was telling you about" and recounts the previous weekend's adventures. "New York City? Bet you won't know anybody there!"
Plane change in Atlanta, so we head across the airport and arrive at the waiting area for the next flight. "Hey Mike!" It's an old friend, heading to Africa for one of his twice-yearly visits.
Our son, the scout, just shakes his head. No way will dad know anybody in NYC. He's never even been there.
We arrive in NYC at dusk, and by the time we head to the hotel on Times Square, the place is hoppin'. We drag our luggage into the lobby and get in line.
Son turns to his dad and says, "See? Told you you wouldn't know anybody."
And across the lobby, at just the perfect time, came a call from an old fraternity brother...."Hey Mike!"
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