Kay walked aimlessly and then saw someone in the distance-she wasn't alone. Up ahead, in the half-light outside the other end of the recreation hall, a man was walking back and forth very slowly. Is it Dan? She couldn't tell for sure so she walked closer. Whoever this man was, he was just pacing, looking down, not really trying to go anywhere. She slowed her step to match his speed and approached discretely.
It was Dan all right, walking around a labyrinth that had been painted on the ground. He didn't seem to notice her at first and kept walking slowly, his head down, a peaceful look on his face. Then he raised his head, saw her, and beamed.
"I love this labyrinth. Always walked it as a kid." He continued his journey.
Dan Avery walking a labyrinth? So peaceful, so simple, so uncorporate! "Do you meditate?" Another stupid question. It couldn't be.
"Meditation is a wonderful practice. I know it sounds like a bunch of old hippy stuff, but I meditate every day. It keeps me sane. You should try it sometime."
Kay let her mouth fall open and she stared at Dan. "I meditate whenever I can. My parents are pretty spiritual and they taught me as a kid."
They looked at each other with shared disbelief and growing grins. "Damn, Kay. You're blowing away all my preconceptions of you tonight." As are you, Dan. He tore himself away from her gaze and resumed walking.
Kay entered the labyrinth and started on the path. "So tell me, who taught a rich Westerly scion to be spiritual?"
Dan muffled a laugh. "I took a class in Eastern religions in college. I was an impudent bastard back then, but the professor was surprisingly immune to my attitude. It made me curious, so I went to see him. He gave me some books and I started going to a meditation circle at his home. It gave me new respect for this labyrinth, and now I walk it every time I go to a Westerley."
"I'll bet nobody else at this party ever walks this labyrinth, except maybe Constance."
He smiled. "Ah, Constance. I do love her." He kept walking. "So you think most of my friends are stupid and shallow?" He turned a corner.
"You said it, not me."
"Yes, but you're thinking it." He turned another corner. "There's more to my friends than their need to party, Kay. They're good people and they support me. I've known some of them since I was a kid."