The Maine Events, Rodney Riesel [best books to read in your 20s TXT] 📗

towel.

“Didn't even check into our motel yet,” the man commented.

“What's that?”

“We pulled into the parking lot, and my wife said she wantedto hit the beach first. Haven't even seen our room yet.”

“Are you staying at the Sunrise?” Allen asked.

“Yeah.”

“That's where I am,” said Allen. He held out his hand.“Allen Crane.”

The guy shook. “Mike Penn. Here with the family?” The guylooked in the direction Allen had come from.

“Nope. All by myself.”

“You lucky bastard,” said Mike.

Allen laughed. “Well, I'll be right over there,” he said,pointing. “If you get sick of the dog, just holler.”

“You got it, Allen, and it was nice meeting you.”

Allen returned to his towel. He watched Frankie run aroundwith his new found friend for a while, and then his attention was diverted by acouple of twenty-somethings wearing thong bikinis. One girl's was yellow, theother's was blue.

Just as Allen's eyes focused on blue bikini's butt, he hearda voice behind him.

“See something you like?”

Allen felt like he had just been caught with his hand in thethong jar. His heart skipped a beat. “W-what?” he asked, his head spinningaround. “I, uh … I—”

Mya had a big grin on her face. “Calm down, Crane,” shesaid. “I'm just playing with you.”

“You scared me.”

“I bet I did. All those nasty thoughts going through yourhead.”

“There were no nasty thoughts,” Allen argued.

“Uh-huh.”

Allen scooted over, and patted the towel. “Have a seat.”

Mya took him up on his offer. “Which one you like best?” sheasked. “Blue, or yellow?”

“I don't know.”

“I like blue. Yellow's got some cellulite thing going on inthe upper thigh area, right below the butt cheek.”

“Wow.”

“You saying you didn't notice?”

“I noticed, but I wouldn't have said anything.”

“What a nice guy.”

“I try. So, what brings you by this morning?”

“I was walking to work, and I thought I'd just drop in andsay hi.”

“I was going to text you.”

“I know you were,” said Mya. “What time did you settle on?”

“Three.”

“That's pretty good. It wouldn't have been too soon, and notso long that I would have gotten pissed.”

“How did you know I chose an exact time?”

“All men do.”

“And here I thought I was an original.”

“Nope. You all set a time to call or text, and you all sitand stare at twenty-somethings in thongs.”

“I wasn't staring.”

“It's your story. Stick with it.”

“How did you know I was down here at the beach?”

“I saw your little friend in the parking lot. He said he sawyou and Frankie walk down here.” Mya looked around. “Where's Frankie?”

Allen pointed. “Playing Frisbee with that kid over there.So, you're working tonight?”

“Yep. Tonight and tomorrow night.”

The two girls in thongs walked past them, on their way backto their spot on the beach. Allen made sure not to notice. He knew Mya wouldprobably be watching for any eye movement or the slightest of head turns.

“When's your next night off?” Allen asked.

Mya glanced upward in thought. “I have Sunday evening off,and Wednesday evening off. I have all of Thursday off. Why, Allen, were youthinking about asking me out again?”

“I was.”

“It'll have to be Sunday or Thursday.”

“Or both?”

“Or both.” Mya leaned over and kissed Allen on the cheek. “Ibetter get going. Some of us have to work.” She stood.

“Frankie and I'll probably stop in for a late lunch today,if you don't mind.”

“I don't mind at all.”

Allen stood up as well. “I'll walk you to the seawall?”

As the couple walked past the thong twins Mya said,“Ladies.”

They both looked up at her and smiled.

“Really?” Allen said.

“Just wanted them to know I saw them,” Mya said.

“I don't even know how to respond to that.”

Mya chuckled.

At the top of the seawall Allen said, “You have fun atwork.” He leaned in for a kiss.

“And you have fun writing, or whatever you plan on doingtoday.” She pecked him on the lips.

“Mostly writing, and I'm out of dog food, so it looks likeI'll also be making a trip to the grocery store.”

“Sounds like a fun-filled day.”

“I had a really nice time last night.”

“So did I, Allen.” Mya kissed him again, lingering a smidgelonger. “I'm looking forward to spending some more time with you.”

“Me too.”

Mya turned and hurried down the sidewalk. She looked backonce, after walking a good twenty yards, just to see if Allen was stillwatching. He was. She gave him a little smile and wave. He did the same.

Allen took a deep breath and sighed. He knew the next eightdays would probably sail by pretty quickly. He turned and stared out over thedark, damp, sandy beach. Eventually his eyes went to Frankie, still frolickingin the sand with his new best friend.

I should buy a kid for that dog, Allen thought.

He glanced over at his lone towel, stretched out and lyingthere peacefully. He looked down at the thong twins, and back at his towel.Allen was done on the beach. He'd had enough sun and sand. Also, speaking withMya had given him an idea for something in the book. He wanted to get back tohis laptop. He could yell for Frankie, but then there was still the problemwith the towel. If he did go back for the towel, he could take one last quicklook at the thong twins. But was it worth it? The motel has a milliontowels, they probably won't miss one. Allen's eyes drifted from the towel,to Frankie, to the thongs, and back.

“Frankie!” Allen hollered. “Let's go!”

Frankie froze. His head whipped around. He spotted Allen andwas off, not even telling his playmate goodbye.

Good boy, Allen thought. You ain't shit, kid.That's my dog.

Frankie bounded up the seawall steps and came to a stop athis master's feet.

“Were ya having fun?” Allen asked.

Frankie barked.

“I gotta get back to that keyboard, pal. Come on.”

Allen and Frankie crossed the street and the parking lot.Donnie wasn't in his chair. It was one of the few times Allen had seen thechair empty. He side-stepped to Donnie's door and gave it a rap.

“Just a second,” Donnie sang out from somewhere inside.

Allen gave Frankie a look.

The door opened.

“Hey, Blue Eyes,” Donnie said with a grin. He craned hisneck to see past Allen. “I was expecting someone else.”

“Oh, okay. I was just making sure—never mind.”

“Blue Eyes, were you checking