Summers

It was pretty much the best weather the City had all summer. I went for a run. That was nice. I showered and got back out into the sun as fast as I could. The trip down to Kelly’s place was amazing. I was going to take the bus, but the weather was too good to miss out on. I walked briskly, switching to the shady side of the street when I got too warm. My iPod was blasting RJD2 and I had a bounce in my step.
When I got to her place, she answered the door wearing shorts and a bikini top and drinking a beer. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders and her sun freckles looked like they had multiplied since the last time I saw her.
Her face was serious and calm. She slid the bottle of beer over her breast and whispered, “It took you forever to get over here. I almost gave up on you.” She held out the bottle and I took it.
“Sorry, I walked over.” I took a swig as she removed her bikini top and tossed it over her shoulder.
One of her neighbors wandered past her apartment towards the laundry room. If they saw her, they didn’t say anything.
Kelly turned and her slim hips swayed languidly as she moved down the hallway towards the bedroom. I followed her, watching as she removed her shorts and kicked them away. She was like a dancer – fluid and graceful. Her thong was next. She leaned against the bedroom door and slid it down her legs. “Come in. Close the door. Make yourself comfortable.” She turned and ran a finger over her small, tanned breast. She licked her lips and let her hand slide down between her legs.
She didn’t have to tell me twice.



It was pretty much the best weather the City had all summer. We all were hanging out in the park and it was just a beautiful thing. Tom had his drum and he played it while Cathy and Sammy danced.
I checked the time, took another toke, then said my goodbyes. “Gotta split. I promised Kelly I’d come by.” I brushed off my jeans and pulled on my shirt. “Later.”
I made my way through the park and scored another bag on the way to Kelly’s.
When I got there. Kelly was out in the back yard painting a sign that said U.S. OUT NOW. She had red paint on her cheek and looked so cute. Her dress drifted on the cool breeze her dark hair was tied back with a tie-dyed scarf. When the sun was right, I could see right through the dress.
“Took you long enough.” She grinned. “Out here painting these up all by myself in the sun, man. Not cool.”
I waved the baggie in front of her face and she whispered, “But I forgive you.”
We laughed and fell onto the grass – our hands exploring.
“Let’s go inside, Baby?”
We managed to get to our feet and move inside before anyone called the cops.



The sun was hot and warm and I picked Kelly up around 1pm. I heard her Father barking at her as I moved up the driveway. Wow - the guys voice carried like he was using a megaphone.
“And, where are you to driving to?”
I knocked.
“Coming!” Kelly’s voice was as warm as the sun. The door opened and she rolled her eyes and mouthed, “He’s such a bore.”
“Hello, Mr. Roth. Were you able to get out and enjoy some of this weather today?” I smiled. “Ideal for golf, right? Did you get your new clubs?”
Her father drifted over to the door and his face softened. “Well, not yet. Haven’t had time to go over and pick them up yet.”
“Well, don’t waste this day, Sir.” I shook his hand. “I’ll have Kelly home by…eight? I thought we’d just go for a drive and get something to eat.”
He arched his brow and smiled. “Well, like you said, it’s a beautiful day and it’d be a shame to waste it. Make it nine. You two have a nice time.”
We waved and walked to the car. Even with the windows down it was super hot.
I backed into the street and beeped the horn as we moved off for the day. When we were further down the road, I pulled over into the shade. Kelly looked at me shyly.
“What’s wrong?” She blinked.
I leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
She giggled and looked around. “You’re going to get us in trouble.” She blushed.
I gave her cheek a pinch and laughed. “You’re the ginchiest!”



The weather was ideal. Some of the best we’ve had in a long while, I tell you. It was a fabulous day for tea.
I walked up the path to Ms. Roth’s home and knocked. The sun beat down on my back and I began to perspire. I couldn’t show up looking like some ruffian. I removed my hat and wiped my brow with my handkerchief.
The door opened and Ms. Roth’s Father loomed before me.
“Well hello my boy. Right on time as usual, eh?” He smiled and nodded as he took my hand. “Come in before you’re baked alive out there.” He motioned me inside and I swept my handkerchief back into my pocket.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“We’re taking tea on the back porch. There’s a nice breeze today and the oaks will keep things cool. This way.”
He lead me through the house to the back yard and our into the garden. The sun filtered through the trees and the cool breeze raced over my forehead – a Godsend.
Then, I saw her. She was beautiful. An Angel. She sat up and turned her head towards me ever so slightly. She was a vision. Her skin glistened as she twirled her parasol and smiled in my direction. I blushed. He dress was a bright yellow and it reflected the sun’s bright light. I blushed again as I glanced at the buttons down her side. They were like pearls.
“Mr. Cole – I’m glad you could make it this afternoon.” She smiled kindly and her lashes flittered playfully.
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. Thank you for your invitation.” I bowed my head and glanced over to Mr. Roth. He nodded and I made my way towards her. “Thank you…for making a place for me at your table.” I took her hand in mine and held it for a moment. The smooth silk of her glove sent shivers up my arm. We looked into each others eyes and held the glance for what seemed like an eternity.
“Now now you two lovebirds. We’ll have none of that foolishness here today.” Mrs. Roth’s voice sing songed from the garden and I jerked my hand back awkwardly as Mr. Roth bellowed out a laugh. “The neighbors will be talking. Sit. Sit, now.”
I smiled awkwardly and sputtered out a laugh as Mrs. Roth took a seat next to her daughter. Mr. Roth sat next to her and I took a chair across from Ms. Roth.
I was in heaven. I was so close to her - able to sneak glances at her and exchange sweet smiles. I was in heaven.
This was a fabulous summer. My best summer ever.

Plan B

He stood in the darkness staring at the car as the frosty wind raced off the ocean and over his skin. Sand blew around his feet as the strap of his computer bag cut into his shoulder.
The Dodge sat in the middle of the little, four lane highway with the hood propped open and liquid slowly dripping out from the under carriage. Hazard lights blinking, the vehicle was passed on the left and right by functioning brethren.
“Piece of crap,” he mumbled as he pushed his hands deeper into the pockets of his coat. Thank God he brought it with him. This was the perfect way to top off his amazing fourteen-hour day at work. Perfect.
He glanced at his phone again. He’d been waiting in the cold for over an hour and the tow truck was due at any minute. The only thing he could think about was getting home and getting into a nice, hot shower.
A large truck pulled up a few blocks away and parked. That had to be it.
He waved, moving into the light. “Over here, Dude. Hel-lo!” Hopping, he waved and tried to get the drivers attention. “God damn….” He pulled out his cell and waved it over his head. The iPhone’s illuminated face might act like a beacon. He felt it vibrate in his hand as the small bells began to chime.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Mr Johnson? Our driver is there and he’s not seeing where you are.”
“I’m right across the street. I’ve been waving, but he doesn’t see me I guess.” He frowned and waved again.
“Oh, ok. Well, I’ll let him know. So, you’re across the street?”
“Yes, right ahead of him.
“I’ll let him know. Thank you, Mr. Johnson.”
He waited and a moment later the truck started moving forward and across the street toward him. He waved again, motioned to the car’s resting place, and then started moving towards it. The bag on his shoulder slide and he caught it awkwardly as he made his way over the small barrier and through the sandy bar along side the roadway.



Minutes later, he gave a final look back at his car before climbing into the tow truck. He glanced back through the window and muttered a curse as he fastened his seatbelt.
The tow driver hoisted himself up into the cab. He was a round man who looked like he was shooting for “physically unfit” as a look. His round belly was accentuated by his tight shirt tucked into his pants. His dark skin had a sheen of sweat and his hands were covered with grease and grime.
“Here we go, huh?” He smiled and the tow truck roared to life as his door slammed shut. “Where are we going again?”
“Clement street?”
“Right….right….that place. I know where that is. By 24th. I looked on the way here.” He glanced back and pulled the truck and it’s flatbed deadweight into traffic. “We’ll get you there and home, huh Mr. Johnson?”
“Sounds great.” He stared out the window with tired eyes and wondered if the driver was planning on slowing down at all before hitting the curve. He obviously had no intention of wasting time being safe. He took the hill and the corner at 45 miles per hour.
“Tough day, huh?”
“Yeah. Drag of a day.”
“I bet.” The tow driver laughed.
Malcolm liked his slight, Spanish accent. It was comforting and made up for the discomfort he felt from the man’s driving. “Yeah. I worked a fourteen-hour day and them this crap happens on the way home. All I wanted to do is get home and them….wham.”
“Wham.” The man laughed again. “Like my night. I had to drive down to San Jose, pick a woman up, and take her to Hayward.” He laughed. “And after I take you to Clement, I have to drive BACK down to San Jose!” He shook his hand and giggled slightly.
Malcolm mustered a smile. “Wham.” He was starting to warm up now – the chill in his bones giving way to the heat of the tow truck and fear from the man’s driving. He half hopped the car would be flung away, smash into the ground and burst into flames. Problem solved.
“Wasn’t part of your plan, huh? Never is part of the plan, right?” The man looked over to Malcolm and grinned a wide grin. “You never see it coming.”
“Nope, not part of the plan at all.”
“Plan A – Plan A didn’t work.” The man shifted and half stopped at a stop sign before racing on.
Malcolm glanced back at his car rocking on the bed of the tow truck, then faced forward again.
“What you need,” the man said as he looked to Malcolm with a wide smile, “is a Plan B.” He chuckled and faced forward in his seat. “Plan B always works.” The laughter built in the man’s belly and his wide smile was infectious.
Malcolm smiled and chuckled. “Plan B.” He thought about it for a minute – the oily smell of the truck’s cab filling his nostrils. He broke into laughter, but wasn’t sure why.
“Plan B ALWAYS works!” The tow driver patted the steering wheel.
The two men laughed hearty laughs.
Malcolm was surprised. He didn’t think he’d be laughing tonight. Of course, he didn’t know that the answer to his problems…was a Plan B.