“The ceremony is on a Saturday at one of the fancy hotels on the Navy Pier.” she said, “We could drive up on Friday and spend some time sightseeing before the ceremony and leave on Sunday.
“Two nights at that hotel sounds like a lot of money, mom” I said.
“Yeah, but ceremony attendees get a deep discounted rate.” She then smiled, “Besides, the business is paying for it and it is a deductible expense.”
“OK, sounds fun and old times” I smiled. “That will be our weekend as I will have to fly to the west coast the following Friday.”
The time passed quickly and before we knew it, our bagged were packed and we were driving to Chicago. The traffic was bad and we arrived at the hotel around six in the evening but we did have a little time to explore the Pier and have a nice dinner there. The next morning we explored some of the downtown shopping areas and Grant Park. The shopping was great but the park was not as much fun as when I was younger. Mom and I had a great time and returned to the hotel in the afternoon. We began to dress for the evening’s award ceremony. I cleaned up and put on the best suit that I owned.
I was putting my tie tack when Gwen came out of the bathroom and said, “Hey handsome!”
I blushed and said, “Don’t let anyone steal you away from me. You look very pretty too!”
Mom laughed and said, “Richie, you are so silly. I’m only half dressed.” I had to laugh at myself as mom was in just a black slip which would have been considered a dress in California. She pulled a black dress from the room closet hanger and maneuvered each leg inside of it. Pulling the dress over her body, flipping the straps over each shoulder, she returned and asked, “Would you zip me up please?” I pulled the zipper up the 18 inches of the back of the dress although I wanted to do the opposite. She turned and said, “What do you think?”
“You are absolutely gorgeous mom!” I said. My tall blonde mother looked so sexy in that black dress that exposed just a touch of cleavage. She put on her high heels and looked in the mirror for a last minute touch up of makeup.
She took by the arm and said, “They will be so jealous of me with this handsome man by my side.” We walked arm in arm out of the room and caught the elevator to the hotel ballroom. Gwen’s perfume filled the elevator as it zoomed down the 20 or so floors. I loved the smell but it just intensified my desire for her. We entered the ballroom and were escorted to our table. There was a large crowd at the ceremony which had a few older couples but was mainly single business women. I got see the looks from many of the attendees that mom was right. They were jealous. The award ceremony started and it was long and boring with opening speeches from the state women’s chamber of commerce. Finally the awards were being handed out and somewhere in the middle they called out mom’s name. I was so proud to see her walk to the podium and receive the heavy glass award and be given a few accolades from the chairperson. At the end of the presentations, champagne was placed at the tables where round after round of toasts were made to the attendees and the chamber of commerce leaders.