I set down my book as the sound grew louder. It was faint, just barely audible against the sound of wind and wave against the hull. But as the volume increased, I recognized the rhythm of footsteps resonating on the wooden dock. Judging by the proximity, the person was a dozen yards away and getting closer.
Given the lateness of the hour, a little curiosity was warranted. I exited to the deck, sticking to the shadows just in case. This marina was only dimly lit at this hour, but a not-quite-full moon provided sufficient illumination to see a female figure walking slowly towards my boat.
Though the soft lighting had her face in partial shadow, I recognized her immediately. The honey blond waves falling to the small of her back shimmered distinctively in the moonlight. I also could never mistake her figure. Her melon-sized breasts jiggled seductively with every step, their tremendous size seemingly little affected by gravity. The dress she wore also left considerable amounts of leg on display, each tawny pillar ending high heels of almost perilous proportion.
I knew her only as the girl from the cafe, having only first seen her there this morning. Having completed my dawn run along the sand, I'd cleaned up and dropped in for some breakfast. The decor dated the place to throw sixties, but it was clean, inexpensive, and served great hash browns.
I'd been flipping through the morning paper awaiting my eggs when she and a half dozen other other college-age kids wandered in. A T-shirt on one of the boys marked them as students from the Midwest. No doubt they'd all packed up into a little caravan to come down south for spring break. This town would soon be crawling with other young folks, all eagerly pursuing various decadences in the warmth of the Florida sun.
This bunch had clearly been partying late into the night judging by the rumpled clothing and tired expressions. I guessed they were grabbing a bite to eat before crashing at whatever cheap hotel they'd found. After sleeping off the night's excesses, they'd arise to do it all over again.
The group was a mix of genders. Two boys and two girls were clearly paired off, but she was among three other women who showed no sign of attachment. Surprising, because even clad in a stained tank top and neon shorts, she looked incredible. Her breasts were incredible, particularly in light of the tiny waist they overtopped. There were definitely some wet T-shirt contest victories in her future this week, were that her inclination.
Ordinarily I do not stop to gaze at women young enough to be my daughter (and then some), but she was simply too beautiful for a brief glance. Consequently, she soon enough looking up to meet my eye.
No doubt she had been ogled a thousand times before by men of all ages, so she likely expected me to guiltily dart my eyes away upon being caught. I, however, did not waiver in my attention. I met her gaze with a gentle smile which she, after a moment, awkwardly returned. I continued until at last she was the one who darted her eyes away.
Satisfied, I turned back to my meal and proceeded to maintain my focus there for the next half hour. I couldn't see her directly, but a reflection in a window gave me a rough idea when her head turned in my general direction. Nearly a dozen times - I'd clearly piqued her curiosity. I was all the more resolute in my inattention; let her wonder.
I dragged out my meal a bit till I sensed her compatriots were preparing to leave. I gathered my things and went to the cashier to pay my bill. As I put my wallet away, I found her waiting in line behind me. I looked directly into her blue eyes, seeing intense curiosity in her gaze - who was this man?
I provided no direct answers, but merely held out a white business card. The front listed the address and phone number of the Three Palms Marina where I was saying. The back had "Slip 37" written on it in blue ink. "Drop by sometime," I suggested before walking out the door.
Looking down at her now from my boat, my efforts had clearly paid off. "Hello," I hailed her as I stepped into the light.
