The Personal Appearance

By Di

I couldn't believe it when I wandered into a new Antonio Banderas fan website a couple of months ago and saw some of the information posted there. Whoever had set up the website had included a listing of possible personal appearances in the next two months where interested fans might make an "Antonio Sighting". Right there, in black and white, was a listing about a month away for a charity event being held in the city where I live!

In a city where many charity events are held, it is pretty commonplace to have "stars" in town for these events and the general public doesn't even hear about the event until it is over and done with.

Well, any Chica in her right mind knows that this kind of information is not taken lightly! By the next morning I was on the phone, calling the local office of the charity, the box office at the facility where the event was supposed to be held - basically anyone who might have some definite information. I finally was able to track down the office in charge of ticket sales who also had a "scheduled guest" listing and, sure enough, Antonio's name was right at the top of the list. Needless to say, arrangements were made for the purchase of one ticket right then and there (after all, it is for "charity", right?)

By that afternoon, I had put in for personal time off work for the day of the event which consisted of a luncheon at the Convention Center downtown with a reception following. I told no one what I had planned. This was my secret and was not to be shared with "non-chicas" who wouldn't understand.

Finally the day arrived and I was seated at the luncheon. Several days before the event had been spent picking out an outfit to wear, making sure my nails were done perfectly and just plain fantasizing about what this day would be like.

Several hundred people were attending the event and I saw many of the local "celebrities", news anchors and politicians I recognized from TV. Finally a side door opened and the honored guests entered to take their seats on the dais at the front of the room. Watching each emerging guest, my heart pounded a little faster until the fifth person came through the door and there he was. Smiling that crooked little smile, he bowed to the crowd and took his place at the table.

I don't remember what was served for lunch, I don't remember anyone else's speeches. I only remember the short speech given by Antonio thanking everyone for coming and contributing in the fight to cure this childhood disease and the sincerity in his voice as he spoke.

Immediately following the luncheon, a reception line was formed so the attendees could meet and shake hands with the celebrities. I'm not sure exactly how many feet I stepped on or how many ribs I elbowed but I finally found myself in front of the crowd about half way down the line. No one was going to get between me and the chance to shake hands with Antonio!

As the rest of the celebrities moved through the line, I politely shook their hands and smiled. All the while, however, my eyes were watching Antonio as he moved slowly through the line. Shaking hands with the men in line, he either kissed the cheeks or the hands of the women causing a stir befitting his status as a Latin heartthrob.

Watching his progression through the reception line, I silently counted off as he neared the spot where I stood: Five more, four more, three more, two more. . .

It was finally my turn! As Antonio shook my hand, he leaned forward slightly to kiss my cheek. Knowing this would probably be the only chance I would ever get, I turned my head quickly. Instead of his lips landing on my cheek, they were met by my lips. Although it took him by surprise, he didn't pull away. In fact, I could feel him smile as he put his hand behind my head and deepened the kiss, putting me into a definite swoon.

With a smile reminiscent of Miguel Bain, he looked into my eyes and murmured, "It was very nice meeting you!" and continued down the reception line.

I'm not sure how long I stood there with a dazed look on my face but eventually I found myself at home watching the news. They had a small video clip on the charity event taken during the reception line. I quickly hit "record" on my VCR so I could watch it again later. To my delight, the film clip they ran showed Antonio greeting the people in line.

After the news, I ran the tape back and watched the video clip again, this time in slow motion. What I thought I had seen the first time was definitely there - Antonio leaning forward and kissing someone before moving on down the line. I put the tape on "Pause" and walked closer to the TV. There I was on tape, appearing dazed and smiling to myself.

No one ever found out where I went when I took that "day off" from work. No one knows what's on the VCR tape I keep in a special case by my TV. But I know . . . .