The upstairs is a raucous barroom where people danced half naked on the bar. We went to the calmer downstairs to get our first drink. We went in separ...ately so I could watch Joan in action. The place was fairly crowded with people our age, with a festive feel to it. Joan sat on a barstool with her Sapphire martini in front of her. Joan loves barstools because they give her an ideal perch to flash her smooth mound. The DJ was playing old Doo Wop music. "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes came on and. The sky was dark and the moon was nowhere in sight, but the ship churned the sea behind us into a glowing green arrow pointing back in the direction we'd come. Leaning against the rail, I mutely watched, closed my eyes, and let the smell of the sea fill my senses.I didn't fall asleep, but I did zone out. A gentle touch on my shoulders brought me back to the here and now. Even before I opened my eyes I knew it was Gretchen. Her scent mingled with the ocean and her hands moved in a familiar,. Craig was dog-sitting during her vacation and, as they happen tohave a pool, would take advantage of the facility whenever he'd drop by tocheck on the Labrador.Ben rarely ever swims so he couldn't find anything else than a black speedoin his drawer. He thought Craig would make fun of him forever with thisbut when he found him in the same attire, they were even.The guys stayed about an hour there, making a few remarks on how well bothmen were filling their trunks. Once they were ready to go,. I was actually uncomfortable thinking about emotions and declarations of love. People, these days, use that world casually. I could not do that. I loved my mom and dad, and I think I was beginning to love Brenda. Saying those words out loud was something I was very uncomfortable doing.It was a few months later when Tom dropped in unannounced as had become his routine."Hey, Scott, found any place that you like yet?" Hell no. I never knew house or land hunting could be so difficult. I figured I.