Passing Through and Broken Down (open)

[pj38]

Sarah had ignored the sounds her car was making for the past sixty miles. She was driving cross country, through the endless corn belt, and happened to be in a small town when the warning light came on. Lucky me, she thought, and pulled into a parking spot in front of one of those home cooking lunch places.

She sat down at the counter, ordered coffee, and asked the waitress about a place to get her car fixed. There was a repair shop down the block, the waitress said, so Sarah called and arranged to take her car in. They were busy that afternoon, they had said, and wouldn't get to it until morning. Sarah sighed as she snapped the phone shut. Now she would need a place to stay.

"There's a Best Western out by the interstate exit," the waitress said as she served a bowl of soup down the counter a few seats. "You'll need a ride out there," she added after a pause. Then she nodded her head towards a booth across the room. "Kevin, over there in the green shirt, he's going out that way to look at someone's broken A/C. He should be able to help you."

Sarah set her cup down, sighing again at the nest of complications that had suddenly entered her life. Kevin looked quiet and rough-hewn, possibly a little older than she, and was having lunch with another man. They looked up as she approached the booth.

"Are you Kevin?" Sarah asked.

OOC: Sarah is 35 and has recently ended a five-year relationship that wasn't going anywhere. She is driving cross-country to start a new life in another city. She feels an ache in her heart from her recent loss and would enjoy a sweet encounter with a gentle man. Open to any suitable male character.

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin meets Sarah

Kevin Johnson https://41.media.tumblr.com/60712020bfdd55464d001629a271ecf8/tumblr_nir8dmnFKv1tmhbqho1_1280.jpg was eating his lunch with his buddy Brad. They were going over plans for a new deck and Jacuzzi Brad was building for Kevin. Kevin had just turned 40 and Brad was teasing him about being over the hill. Kevin retorted back that he had no room to talk as he was turning 40 in a few weeks. Kevin knew Brad's wife was making arrangements for a surprise birthday party.

He knew he would have to go alone to the party since breaking up with his wife of 20 years a year back. It was a messy divorce and he still felt the sting of the accusations that came out in the court battle over his Heating company. She wanted a good share of the profits and he didn't want to give anything to the two-timing bitch. In the end she got a pocketful of money that he had to pay out in monthly installments for the next year.

Both of the men's heads turned when they saw a woman enter the restaurant. She seemed a bit disoriented and they chuckled. "Looks like a lost soul from the city," Kevin cracked to the amusement of Brad.

They continued to eat but Kevin glanced in the woman's direction seeing that she was talking to Irene the waitress. He saw Irene point in their direction and then the woman got up and walked toward them. Kevin could see she was nervous about approaching them and she asked shyly, "Are you Kevin?"

Kevin looked up into the piercing eyes and noticed she wasn't wearing a wedding ring. "Why yes ma'am I'm Kevin. What can I help you with today?"

 

[pj38]

Sarah suddenly felt self-conscious about her appearance. She was worn out from driving, stressed about her predicament, and now found herself wholly dependent on the kindness of strangers. She took a breath and rose out a slump so as to make a better impression.

"Uh...my name is Sarah. The waitress said...," she paused, pointing back at the counter, "...that you were driving out past the Best Western and might be able to give me a ride. My car broke down and they won't get to it until morning."

She paused, and then added before he could answer. "You're Kevin, I understand. She said you were driving out that way this afternoon. I'm not in any rush or anything."

Then, realizing she hadn't been that cordial, she smiled. "Sorry, I'm a little preoccupied by my situation. Everyone is so nice, it seems like I couldn't have picked a better place to break down."

 

[Rocket1010]

"Hey no problem ma'am. We are all nice people around these parts aren't we Brad?" Kevin said with a chuckle. He looked up at the woman and smiled. "Seriously ma'am I'm done with lunch and would be happy to give you a ride out to the Best Western. I was passing some time with my friend Brad."

Brad held out his hand, offering it to the lady. "Nice to meet ya. If this ole boy doesn't take care of you, you come on back." Brad laughed at his own joke as Irene came over, slipping two bills on the table. She looked at Sarah and then at Brad. "You behave yourself Bradley or I'm going to tell that pretty wife of yours you are messing around."

"For being such a fool, you can pick up my lunch for me," Kevin said sliding out of the booth. He turned is attention to Sarah. "Listen ma'am I'll follow you down to Frank's Auto and then give you a ride out to the hotel. Like Irene said, I have to be out there to fix an AC unit. Seems like a lot of things need fixing all the time out there."

He watched Sarah get into her car and he slipped behind the wheel of his truck that had Johnson's Heating and Cooling on the side. Once they dropped off the car and she was in the passenger seat, he looked at her. 'Fine looking woman,' he thought as he put the truck into gear.

"So what brings to these parts ma'am?" he asked as the truck slid out into traffic and headed to the Best Western Hotel.

 

[pj38]

"Oh I'm just passing through. I guess you get that a lot here." Kevin's truck rumbled as he pulled onto the main road. "I'm on my way to Chicago, from the West Coast. New job, new life."

Sarah surveyed the town as they rode along the main street: hardware store, furniture store, feed store, drug store. Then she stopped looking.

"This seems like an easy town to live in. Good friends close by, and all you need to live a good life."

Sarah was thinking of how quickly she'd gotten help. This was definitely a friendly place.

"I've lived in cities since I first left home. There's lots to see and do, but people-wise I don't think it's any better than here."

She had noticed his hands on the wheel--strong, a little weathered. And no ring.

"What is the nightlife like here?" Sarah hadn't meant it as a leading question. She chuckled silently, suddenly feeling a little transparent. The last month had been difficult. All the job hunting, then finding a place to live, then packing. She hadn't had much time. Plus some friends had taken sides against her after the breakup.

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin gives Sarah a ride to the hotel

Kevin learned a long time ago when to keep his mouth shut and listen. You could learn a lot just by keeping quiet. As they drove through the old downtown with buildings that seemed to be ancient to him, he watched her head move sideways, taking in the small town business the relied on locals for the economy. So far they had discouraged the big box retail stores from coming in next to the highway. Kevin felt it was only a matter of time now that they had a Best Western Hotel and a few more were being talked about.

As the woman in the passenger seat surveyed the downtown landscape, he saw her skirt ride up revealing silky white thighs for his viewing pleasure. It had been a while since he had made love to a fine woman but he knew better to think about this gal since she would probably be on her way tomorrow after Frank fixed her car. He listened to her talk about the good life, good people ready to help out a stranger, not like the big city where people are more distant. He smiled as they passed the high school thinking about his time in the big city. He had gotten a scholarship to play football for Northwestern and after college he returned home, liking the pace of living in the Midwest. As she talked about the big city he wondered why she was going back to one if she thought this was like heaven.

“What’s nightlife here,” he said letting out a soft chuckle. “We have a lot to offer, nothing fancy like the big city folks but we have our bars for drinking and bars that have music and dancing. If you’re looking for all the flashy bars like they have in Chicago with the twirling lights and dancers, you won’t find them here.” He pushed back his cap on his forehead and glanced at the woman as they turned into the Best Western parking lot. He wasn’t sure he should say it but he did anyway. “We also have a place just down the road that has dancers and some other offerings.”

He pulled up to the front of the hotel. “Here we are ma’am,” he said looking at her. He thought she was going to say something but hearing nothing, he opened the door. “Let me help you with your luggage,” he said pulling two large suitcases from the back of the truck. Before he could take them inside a man appeared.

“Kevin thank god you’re here. The person in 208 is constantly complaining about no air conditioning.” He looked at Sarah, giving her a big smile. “I’ll help you those ma’am.” He moved to take the luggage from Kevin.

Kevin turned and looked at Sarah. “Ma’am it was a pleasure and if there is anything I can do for you …… anything.” He said with an emphasis on anything and then he smiled glancing up and down her figure. “Here’s my card. Call me anytime.” Kevin thought about asking her out since she would only be here one night, but with the manager standing next to him with a ‘come on …. Hurry up and fix the damn a/c unit,’ he didn’t.

 

[pj38]

Sarah thanked Kevin for the ride and went to check in. They were shorthanded today, so the manager was handling the desk in addition to any problems that arose. There was a "Be Back Soon" sign on the desk when she got there, so she waited until he came back from the room without A/C.

She checked in, went to the room, and then pulled out her laptop to answer some emails. Halfway through the first she fell asleep. Waking up a little groggy, she thought she'd go get a soda from the machine and sit in the lobby. Once there, she found the manager still fending off chaos. Later Kevin walked through, and Sarah waved goodbye thinking he was on his way home. But in fact he had to go to town for a part and was back there an hour later to finish up.

As evening approached, Sarah watched the desk for a quiet moment to inquire about dinner options. "I'm so sorry to take your first free moment," she said after he had finished a phone call and was free. "Can you recommend a place for dinner? I don't have a car."

There was a McDonalds she could see out the doorway and a Mexican restaurant across the four-lane. Pointing to a traffic light a quarter mile down the road, he told her the four-lane was tricky to walk across but could be done. Then he handed her a flyer for pizza delivery, saying they were happy to deliver to the motel.

Sarah walked outside, and took in the situation. She had lots of time and didn't want McDonalds or pizza, so she set out walking to the light to cross to the restaurant. It was a little early for dinner, but she was bored and hungry and didn't care.

As she crossed the lot she looked around for Kevin's truck, wondering if he had finished. She didn't see it, but thought he may have parked around the other side close to the room where he was working. She had the card in her purse. But she didn't really need anything from him, she just wondered if he might be done working with nothing to do. For now, she talked herself out of calling him.

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin offers Sarah a ride

Kevin smiled at Sarah when she thanked him. Getting back into his truck, he drove it around the building to another entrance. Finding the room, he started working on the A/C unit in room 208, silently cursing himself for not asking her out. She was good looking and seemed pretty nice but when Carl, the hotel manager, appeared out of nowhere he got distracted.

He found that the A/C unit needed a part to get to operate properly. After searching his truck, he found that he needed to go back into town to his shop and pick up a part. As he was leaving the manager’s office after telling Carl he needed a part and it would be a few more hours, he saw Sarah at the other end of the lobby. He waved at her and was about to approach her when Carl yelled at him. “Kevin! I have the entire place booked for tonight and I need that room fixed by tonight.”

“Ok I’m on my way,” Kevin called taking one last look at the woman before he walked out the front door.

Kevin thought about the woman all the way to town and back. He thought of asking the front desk for her room number but he needed to get the job done first. It was a bit more complicated to repair the unit and by the time he finished it was early evening. He thought about taking his truck around to the front entrance but decided to take the elevator down to the front desk. Carl, the manager, was pleased to hear the room was ready and smiled when Kevin gave him the bill. “I’ll put this into the system and get you paid as quickly as possible,” he told Kevin.

“Hey Carl can you tell me what room the lady is in that I gave a ride to today? I think her name was Sarah?”

“Kevin you know I can’t do that but I will give her room a call,” he offered.

Kevin waited while Carl called the room and saw him shrug his shoulders. “No answer. Do you want to leave a message?”

“Naw that’s ok. I’ll probably see her tomorrow if she needs a ride to pick up her car.”

Kevin walked to the elevators and unbeknownst to him, Sarah rounded a corner as the elevator doors shut. Gathering his tools from the room, he loaded up his truck and sighed as he got behind the driver’s wheel. “I should have asked her for her phone number,” he said to the emptiness of the truck.

He was resigned to having another night alone as he backed out of the parking space. As he rounded the corner and passed the front entrance, he saw a lone figure out by the main road looking up and down the road. As he got closer he saw it was the woman. He had a huge smile on his face as he pulled the truck up next to her and she looked inside the truck at him.

“It’s pretty dangerous being out these roads all by yourself. I assume you are looking for a place to eat. If you are I know a nice place downtown I can take you after I get cleaned up and out of these clothes.” He saw a smile form on her face and he added, “What do you say Sarah? What a lift into town. I promise I won’t leave you stranded.” He was hoping she would say yes as she looked at him and then down the road toward the four-lane highway.

 

[pj38]

"Wow, I'd love that," Sarah exclaimed. "Just in the nick of time. I was about to risk my life for Mexican dinner."

Sarah climbed into the truck. Settling into her seat, she turned to Kevin.

"That must have been a complicated repair to take all afternoon? It's usually quicker fixing an A/C, right?"

She looked at Kevin, wondering about his relationship status. He was about her age, living in a small town.

"You didn't already have dinner plans...I guess it's my lucky night. You got someone you usually eat with?"

Sarah studied Kevin's face as he gathered his thoughts. He seemed like a straightforward, gentle guy. Modest tastes. All stuff she liked. She was looking forward to hearing all about his life.

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin takes Sarah to his home before dinner

Kevin was pleased when Sarah got into his truck. “Yea it was a bit more than I thought.” He wondered if she knew something about A/C units by her comment that it is usually an easier fix. “There was a leak in the coolant line and I had to go back to the office to pick up a new line. Once I got it installed I had to recharge the system. It should be working just fine now.” He wondered if she was really interested or if she was just asking to be polite.

“No I don’t have any special plans for dinner. I usually eat alone except when my friend, Brad, the man you met at the restaurant, and his wife Sally invite me for dinner. As for being lucky I think I’m the lucky one Sarah,” he commented looking at her and sensing she was taking an interest in him.

Kevin drove to the outskirts of town to the new subdivision where he had built a house for him and his wife. He got the house as part of the divorce since his wife left town with her new lover. The house sat on the edge of the woods. He had purchased two additional lots, one on either side of his, and his house sat away from the other houses. He saw Sarah glancing out the window and then at him. “It won’t take too long for me to get cleaned up,” he said pulling into the driveway next to a red BMW.

He saw her eyes looking at the sporty car. “That is my personal car Sarah. Can’t expect to take a gal out to dinner in this old truck, do you?” They got out of the truck and walked along the curvy sidewalk to the front door. Unlocking it, he turned on some lights in the foyer. He showed her to the family room and as he headed to the curving stairs leading upstairs, he said, “Come on in Sarah and make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”

 

[pj38]

Sarah followed Kevin into the house. As he left to get ready, she made here way slowly to the couch to wait. She assumed he lived alone there, although it seemed more like a family type house. Through the doorway she could see the kitchen. Across from the couch there was a TV and entertainment devices, with a few DVDs and CDs but not that many. As far as she could tell he didn't have any pets in the house. Maybe he stayed busy and wasn't home that much, she wondered.

In a while Kevin came back down, showered and neatly dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt. She gave a faint smile of approval but didn't say anything. He took her for a short tour of the kitchen and then a small den/office where there was computer and desk. "You're a very good housekeeper," was her main comment on the tour.

Then they went outside and got in the car. As they drove away, Sarah turned to Kevin and spoke.

"So Kevin, tell me some things you'd like me to know about yourself."

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin takes Sarah to the restaurant

Kevin stood under the shower wondering what Sarah was doing downstairs. Soaping his body, he felt a sexual urge that he had not felt in a long time. Since his awful divorce, he had met a few women but there was sexual chemistry between them. He rubbed his cock and felt it respond, smiling thinking that the thing still worked.

Dressing in a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt, he put on some Old Spice cologne and walked downstairs to find Sarah on the sofa. He showed her the downstairs and smiled when she told him he was a good housekeeper. "It's not hard when you are the only one you have to pick up after," he said seeing the smile on her face. He wondered what she was thinking as they went out and got into the BMW.

Kevin was about to ask her about herself when she said, "So Kevin, tell me some things you'd like me to know about yourself."

Looking over at her, he saw the cute smile on her face. "Well there isn't a whole to tell. I grew up on a farm outside of town that I still farm for my parents. After high school I got a scholarship to play for Northwestern and I knew I would never make it into the NFL after college. I came back home and started my business and if I do say so myself, it is quite successful."

Kevin glanced down at her creamy white thighs and then up to her face to see she still seemed to be interested. "I met a girl back in college and we married but she wanted something more than being married to a Heating and Cooling guy and we divorced." Kevin paused for moment remembering the nasty divorce proceedings.

"So here I am on a date with a beautiful stranger," he said as they pulled up to the restaurant. 'La Rosa Café' was spelled out on the sign and Kevin turned to Sarah. "I hope you like Italian Sarah? It's the best food for five counties," he said.

When they got inside the owner, Mr. Martinelli greeted them. "Good evening Kevin."

"Good evening Tony. Can we have one of the tables in the back?"

"Sure thing Kevin," he replied showing them to a small table with a candle lit in an old wine bottle.

"We'll have a bottle of your best red wine," Kevin said with a chuckle. The men knew that they didn't carry the most expensive wines. This was not the big city.

When the owner left, Kevin turned to Sarah. "You know a little about me. What about you?"

 

[pj38]

Sarah watched Keven intently as he recounted his life. She had not guessed he'd played football or graduated from Northwestern. As she listened, his muscular frame and self-assurance took on new meaning.

She saw him wince when the divorce came up and detected that there was much more to that story. She tried to give him a sympathetic look as he talked about that episode.

They pulled up in front of the Italian restaurant just as Kevin referred to their dinner as a "date."

"I had no idea we were on a date," she smiled. "This just gets better and better."

Sarah took a breath and was about to start in on her life when the wine arrived. The waiter poured the ceremonial taste for Kevin to try, then he nodded and they were both served. The evening seemed to have a gentle flow to it, towards what she did not know.

"Well fortunately," she said as she felt the mellow feelings of the first sip, "since we're on a date, I don't have a husband and three kids waiting at home. Or even a pining boyfriend."

"I grew up in Connecticut, went to college at Bryn Mawr, then took a low-level marketing job for a struggling firm in LA. I met a guy there and we lived together for the last five years."

"This past year, everything began to feel stagnant. It wasn't that I wanted to get married or have kids right away, it was more that there was just less and less that we shared."

"So I decided to start over in Chicago. I guess things are still a little raw--I just moved out two days ago. But it wasn't very dramatic. I've cried a bit in the car, but mostly we drifted apart long ago so there's nothing to grieve."

The candle flickered in the bottle. The restaurant was not brightly lit, so she gathered the candlelight radiated a glow on her face. She felt exposed, as if Kevin could see inside her.

Sarah tried to force her mind off of her past. "Surely she must be the only girl around who doesn't appreciate a Heating and Cooling guy?" she said mischievously. "You must be holding out, or are all the other girls taken?"

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin and Sarah enjoy a meal

Kevin listened attentively to Sarah tell him a little about herself and chuckled when she joked about being on a date and lucky she didn't have a husband and children. his eyebrows raised a little when she said she didn't have boyfriend pinning over her. He realized he felt a bit happier knowing she had no one special man in particular.

He smiled politely when she mentioned Chicago. When he was a student at Northwestern he and his buddies hit the town almost every weekend. It was a town filled with whatever you wanted and in a way he missed it but he had a business to run.

Kevin studied her face as she spoke, seeing the shadows dance on her cheeks. They seemed aglow in flickering light and he found himself a bit mesmerized by her pretty face. He was brought out of his thoughts when she asked him in a rather round about way why he had no girlfriend.

He looked past her at pictures of Italy on the walls. "I guess I haven't found the right gal to date," he said returning his gaze to her. "It's a small town Sarah and every one seems to know every one else's business, especially the women. I have had a few dates but the women knew my ex and it was pretty awkward dating them. Besides I have a business to run." He saw her looking at him and he knew she saw right through his excuse. Just because he ran a business was no reason to not date. Truth was he wasn't interested in the small town girls.

"What are you planning to do when you get to Chicago," he asked as the waitress, Charlotte, came to take their orders. "Kevin are you going to have your usual," Charlotte asked.

"You know me too well Charlotte," he laughed looking over to Sarah. He saw the surprised look on her face. "I always have the spaghetti and meatball dinner. Take your time to order and then you can tell me about all the exciting things you plan to do in Chicago."

 

[pj38]

"You know," Sarah caught Charlotte's attention before she left, "I think I'll have the same. If must be good if Kevin likes it so much."

Charlotte left, and Sarah turned back to Kevin.

"Well I'll be learning my way around for a while. I've only been to Chicago for the interview. My job starts next Monday, and I have a temporary living situation while I look for a place. All I know now is which train to take to work and back. And that it's a lot less expensive than LA. And colder."

Suddenly Sarah's phone made a text alert sound. She had decided to ignore it, but Kevin said he didn't mind her checking if she thought it might be important. She looked at it and then held it up to show Kevin. "Now see, here's what breaking up is like in my world. He wants to know if I took the coffee." She gave a little melancholy laugh and put the phone down.

"So here's a question, Kevin. I've always imagined that rural spots like this have these special places people go to. You know, like a bar where everybody plays darts or pool. Or a drive-in movie that still operates. Or a secret place where you can swim at night. Or even just a dark place to look at the stars. Is that true, or am I just imagining?"

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin tells Sarah a little about rural life

He smiled when Sarah said she would have the same thing he was having for dinner. "I think you'll like it. They claim they have a secret recipe and I do have to say it does taste different than any other spaghetti I have had."

When she talked about learning her way around Chicago, images of him and his friends filled his brain. "It's a great place and there are a lot of things to do there Sarah. I do miss some of the things you can't get in a small town. And yes it is a lot colder there in the winter than LA," he said.

He waited for Sarah to look at her phone and smiled when she told him her ex-boyfriend wanted to know about if she took the coffee. "Must be pretty important coffee," he laughed seeing her smirk a little at the request.

Kevin listened to her list of things that rural America has that the big cities don't have. He chuckled and took a sip of his wine. Some of the people he met over the years were fascinated by the simple things in rural America.

Charlotte brought their meals and before he started digging in, he sat back in his chair. "Yes we have a bar where people throw darts, play shuffleboard, and shoot pool. As for the drive-in movie that is a thing of the past though you can still see the screen on the road out of town. There hasn't been a movie shown there since the new six screen cinema was built about ten years back."

He took a moment to catch his breath and then added with a mischievous smile, "As for the secret place where you can swim at night, we do have such a place. When they built the highway years ago, they created a large pond where they borrowed dirt to build the overpasses. There is one that is surrounded by trees and is pretty secluded. A bunch of us would go there at night and it was not unusual to go skinny-dipping." He looked at her face to see her reaction, seeing a smile cross her face.

"And yes we do have a place outside town where one can spread a blanket and look up at the stars on a cloudless night. You can see the Milky Way and what seems like a million stars."

Kevin stopped talking and looked at Sarah. "It's too bad you won't be around very long to see all those things Sarah. So tell me if you only had one night to spend in rural America which of those things would you most like to do?"

 

[pj38]

"Well, that's a hard choice to make. Going to the bar would be cool. I could meet some of your friends. We could make up some silly story about how we met on the internet and got engaged, you know, just mess with them a little. And the games would be fun too, though I wouldn't be a serious competitor and any of them. It would be just fun."

"Skinny-dipping would be great. I'm not prudish or anything. In high school we'd go all the time during the summer, but definitely that was not something I did in LA. So yea, it would be nice to get that part of my life back."

"The stars would be nice too. You'd have to tell me all your secrets, but of course I'd do the same for you. I'd like that."

Sarah sighed and looked at Kevin's eyes for an answer. "We could make it a kind of random thing like flip a coin or something."

Kevin was still watching her to see what she'd choose. Suddenly Sarah felt self-conscious, and shrugged her shoulders and laughed, "I don't know, Kevin, they all sound great. How about you let me think about it, and I'll decide when we leave. Now you tell me which one you'd choose, or why you like each one."

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin gives Sarah his thoughts on what to do

Kevin was watching her he could see she was a little self-conscious. He couldn't blame her as they had just met this morning and knew very little about each other. She seemed like the kind of woman who would be fun. She sure didn't act surprised or embarrassed when he spoke of skinny-dipping in the pond.

He smiled when she couldn't make up her mind and wanted his input on what they could do after dinner. "Ok you think about it and in the meantime I'll tell you my thoughts."

He took a sip of wine and looked at the woman sitting across from him. Even though he just met her this morning, it seemed like they were making a connection. She seemed easy to talk to.

"Well the bar would be good and the boys would get a kick out of seeing a gorgeous woman on my arm. Especially when I tell them I found you on one of those risqué websites. As for the skinny dipping and lying under the skies, those would be great too. I would suggest we go to the bar, have a few drinks, go to the pond and then there is an open area near there where we could look up into the sky."

Kevin looked at Sarah, seeing her thinking about what he said. "The sky is going to be clear tonight and you never know when you are coming back through town. It would be a good time to see the stars because once you get to the big city, you won't see them like you can see them here. What do you think Sarah?"

 

[pj38]

"Well, you know what they say, 'All of the above' is always the right answer."

Sarah smiled, feeling so warm and sweet inside. How wonderful this day had turned out! Kevin was making her feel so reassured that leaving LA was the right decision. In him, she could see that there was so much more to life than she'd let herself believe out there.

Their dinner came and they chatted about many trifling things. Sarah told Kevin about growing up with two brothers, how much that had helped her feel comfortable around men. She had been tomboyish growing up, but her femininity had blossomed after she went away to college.

In the back of her mind, Sarah was mulling over the skinny dipping. It had never been a sexual thing back in Connecticut. The few times in college were with guys she was already sleeping with, so that wasn't like tonight. She kinda didn't want it to be a sexual thing tonight, not because she wasn't attracted to Kevin. It just seemed important to her to be able to trust him, to know she could feel comfortable around him the way she had all those Connecticut boys.

She cursed herself for letting her mind dwell on this. They were just finishing dinner, sipping the last of their wine, when she thought to ask about the bar.

"So tell me what to expect at the bar. Are the games really competitive? Do they like for women to play? The guys, how do they treat women? I'm up for most anything there, but I just wondered what to expect."

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin fills Sarah in on the bar

Kevin let out a soft chuckle when Sarah told him she would be game for all three of the things mentioned. He was a bit surprised that she would go for the skinny dipping. Most of the women in his part of the world were more conservative. Maybe coming from the LA area was more open about showing their bodies to men they didn't know. Kevin tried to think of what she would look like without her clothes and figured she would look very good.

During dinner after she talked about growing up with two brothers, he told her of life on the farm, growing up with a sister and having to wake up at the crack of dawn to do chores and feed the animals. Kevin told her how his parents still lived on the farm but they hired out the work. He saw that look on her face and said, "farm life is not for me Sarah. I had my fill of it and mom and dad don't hold a grudge. They have a life long agreement to live on the farm and when they pass, we will sell it."

"Well we are going to Big John's Bar," he said laughing. "It's called Big John's because the owner is a giant of a man. He must stand about 6' 10" and was a great college basketball player for Kentucky but an injury in his senior year cut short any thought of going to the NBA.

"Yes the games are competitive and yes there are some women who play darts," he said stopping for a moment to sip some of his wine. "Sarah if you can throw darts and drink like a sailor, you won't have any trouble with the men. They don't care what sex you are, they like whoever is playing to be competitive."

He thought for a moment and then told her. "I hope you like beer because tonight is beer night. They put teams together and then you play for beers and if your team loses, you have to chug a beer and you also have to buy a round for the opposing team."

He saw a look come across her face and added, "I would make sure you are on my team. Are you sure you are up for it."

 

[pj38]

"Uhhhhh....," Sarah groaned, rolling her eyes. "I don't mind being competitive. But I won't be a match for guys who do this every week. You can guess that, I imagine."

She looked at Kevin with a growing smile until she broke into a giggle.

"Moreover," she added with emphasis, "if I chug too many beers, I might pass out in the car and we won't make it to the lake or the stars. I wouldn't want that and I gather you wouldn't either."

Charlotte brought the check, and a minor squabble broke out between them about who was going to pay. Sarah was adamant at first about paying her share, and Kevin wanted to treat her to dinner. After a moment of resistance, she had an abrupt change of heart, feeling herself wanting to trust him more, to open herself to the fullness of the experience he wanted her to have.

Her mind flashed back to her teen years, when she'd compete with her brothers at most anything. There was a point where she was no longer able to win at most things, and what she was good at they didn't want to play. She had resented them at the time, but now, at so great a distance, she only felt nostalgia for a period of life she'd never see again. She was looking forward to Big John's, to the thick lusty smell of beer and men. And followed by that, the serenity of the stars and the lake.

They were about to leave when she had a sudden urge. She reached across and took Kevin's hands. For a brief moment she just held then and looked at him and smiled. She wanted to say something but decided against it. She drew back her hands and they got up to leave.

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin laughed when he heard Sarah groan and tell she would be no match for guys who compete every week. He smiled at her. "I don't think you have anything to worry about if you are my teammate,. I think I can rig it so you can still see the stars and go skinny dipping if you are up to it," he said and left it at that. What he didn't tell her was his prowess as a dart player, thinking it better to let her think the worse was going to happen.

When the check came, Charlotte put it in front of Kevin. After a few small arguments, he was relieved to allow him to pay the bill. One thing he grew up on was how to treat a guest and to him Sarah was a guest .... and he was starting to think a special guest.

As Kevin started to get out of his chair, he felt her hands on his hands. Kevin was a little startled and pleased that she reached out to touch him. He sat back in his chair, seeing that she wanted to say something. But then she withdrew her hands and got up without so much as a word. It was the silent alert .... Sarah says it's time to go.

As he was pulling out of the parking lot, he looked at her, seeing her looking out the window at the row of closed shops downtown. Traffic was light and they were making good time going to Big John's Tavern. As they pulled into the half empty parking lot he turned to her and asked, "What did you want to say in the restaurant Sarah?"

 

[pj38]

"Nothing that important," Sarah answered when he asked what she had wanted to say. "It's just that I'm really enjoying all of this, I mean, it started out as just dinner and now it's become a whole adventure. I just felt like, before it all gets going, I guess I was thinking how you're a real easy guy to be with."

Sarah regretted saying that. Not because it wasn't true, not because she didn't want Kevin to know it. It was just difficult and awkward to articulate.

"I guess it's kinda hard to talk about. I just had this feeling I didn't want to let pass, but I didn't want it to mean anything."

Sarah guessed this had something to do with leaving LA, the risk she'd taken leaving so much behind and the freedom she'd wanted in exchange for that. She needed time to explore and create and renew herself, and genuinely liking someone scared her.

"Is it ok to let this go for now? I promise I'll talk about it later if you want to do that. Can we go in now?"

 

[Rocket1010]

Kevin and Sarah enter the bar

Kevin saw Sarah was struggling to say something but then she told him how she was enjoyed dinner and now the bar and then she told him he was an easy guy to be with. It had been a long time since he heard someone tell him he was easy to get along with. His ex-wife always found something wrong with what he did or what he said. It was refreshing to hear this stranger who just came into town tell him he was easy going.

"Hey no problem. You can tell me more later if you like. "Yes.... Let's go inside and see what kind of game they have tonight."

They walked into Big John's Bar and were immediately were met by Big John himself. Kevin chuckled when he saw Sarah's expression as she looked at the tall man. He was built with muscles and there was no one who would want to mess with him. "Evening folks .... Y'all got reservations?"

Kevin looked at Sarah who had a look on her face as if to say .... you need reservations in this place? "Yea we got reservations Big John," he said with a smirk. "Me and my gal, Sarah, have reservations for the best table in the house. I met her on the interne and she just flew into our international airport from .... where did you say babe ..... Russia?" Kevin glances at Sarah and smiles as he continues, "Yea that's right Big John ..... Russia .... and I'm showing her all the fancy and hot spots in town."

Big John let out a howl of laughter as only he can and most to the patrons looked in his direction. "Kevin y'all know we don't have an international airport." Big john turned his attention to Sarah and gave her a huge smile. "Ms. Sarah it's a real pleasure to have you here tonight even though you hooked up with this no good scoundrel. If this man tries any monkey business y'all come see me."

Just then Kevin hears the familiar voice of Brad calling out, "Come on over you two."

Kevin looked at Big John and then at Sarah. "don't believe a word this man says. Come on. I'll introduce you to some nice people." As they turned to walk away Kevin turned back to Big John. "I assume that first one is on the house in honor of my friend."

Big John smiled and replied, "Yea the first one is on the house because I know you are going to be buying a lot more when y'all start playing darts."

Brad is standing and he recognizes you from the restaurant this morning. "Glad you made it ok buddy. I was starting to think you were going to stand us up tonight."

Kevin held a chair for Sarah and mentioned. "Sarah I think you remember Brad from this morning and this is his lovely wife Sally. She is the brains of the house or so she says."

 

[pj38]

Sarah sat down, then Kevin sat in the chair next to hers.

"Yes I remember you, Brad. And it's good to meet you Sally. I guess you didn't hear," she said to Sally, "my car broke down and I was in the diner trying to get some help. Kevin gave me a ride out to the Best Western. But then we kept running to each other, then one thing led to another and here we are at Big John's."

Brad gave Kevin a skeptical look, shaking his head. "One night in town and you bring this fine lady to Big John's?"

"No!" Sarah protested, "I asked to come here. I wanted to meet everyone and play darts and all. This is a wonderful place from the looks of it."

Sarah pointed across the room at Big John. "Kevin tried to pass me off as his Russian internet bride, but Big John was onto it right off."

"What brings you here?" Sally asked.

"Moving from LA to Chicago, new job, new life. This is my first time driving across the country. Every town I've been through I've wanted to stop and explore. I guess I finally got my wish. They said at the shop they couldn't get to it until morning."

Then Big John came across from the bar carrying two beers. He set them on the table and looked at Kevin. "Is Svetlana gonna play tonight?"

Kevin nodded, then John turned to Sarah, "Did he explain how it works? Loser chugs and buys."

Sarah gave him a blank look and smiled, "No speak English."

John let out his laugh again, then he looked at Kevin and nodded his approval.