Frederick hated these types of small social gatherings with a passion.  Everything would no doubt be polished perfect, all for show and less for actually seeing an old friend or meeting new ones.  He had become something of a recluse since the recession had hit; a proverbial punch to his finances that had left him high and dry. It was intriguing and a bitter wake-up call to see how many of his "friends" had stuck around once his company had gone bankrupt and his personal fortunes had fallen to pay off the loans and debts he had accrued as the CEO of the firm. The only reason he was even coming was to see about making inroads into the local brokers' market and to secure a steady source of income.  He need a fresh start so he figured he'd call up his old college friend, Vicki, and see if she could help.<br/><br/>It was a bittersweet decision to say the least.<br/><br/>Frederick had never gotten over her marrying George.  He had loved Vicki in silence for years, too afraid to tell her or to even ask her out.  They had shared one kiss before, on a dare from some college buddies but it had gone nowhere.  When George came along, Frederick cast himself out of the picture. He hadn't even been invited to the wedding, due to his customary retreating from his problems.  He was afraid of confrontation and to run away from it was his first instinctive course of action.  Frederick had left the college a few months before they got married and had headed out to New York City, to wage his fortunes in the stock market.  The first decade had been exceptionally kind and he had lived the high life he and Vicki had always talked about having.  Now, here he was standing outside the front door of her and her husband's home, hoping to live off whatever scraps Vicki and her business acquaintance would throw to him.<br/><br/>He cursed quietly under his breath as he reached over into the passenger seat and removed the bottle of expensive wine he had brought with, one of the last vintages from his once-impressive wine cellar.  It was a 1998 Pinot Noir and would go well with whatever cheeses she no doubt had set out.  Vicki had always been one for presentation and Frederick would do his best to fulfill his part as the "old friend come home to visit".<br/><br/>A small part of him was afraid that those old, long abandoned feelings for Vicki would come creeping back up to the surface but the former broker refused to listen to them.  He carefully adjusted his navy blue tie and dark blue sport's blazer, making sure to get the wrinkles out of his starched white dress shirt.  A pair of comfortable wing tips and black slacks completed his customary "casual dinner party" outfit.  Running his hands through his brown hair, Frederick finally found the courage and ran the door bell, his heart in his throat.<br/><br/><em>Show time. </em><br/><br/>