Jon Story

I was up with the sun, Saturday morning, asking if I really should bother
meeting this strange person again, but knowing, deep inside nothing could
keep me away. I showered and shaved and had a quick bite to eat in the
hotel lobby before walking back to the bar.
I got there at 8:30, and kept walking. No sense in standing outside. I
walked around the block a few times, just breaking a sweat in the early day
heat and humidity. When 9 came, I was back outside the nameless saloon,
wondering what was going to happen next.
The door opened and my strange, new friend leaned out. She didn't look so
good. Where at night, in the smoky room, she could hide in shadow, and look
exotic. Unfortunately, daylight was not her friend. I began to wonder if
she was her surprise, because if that were the case, looking at her now, I'd
have to pass.

She wore no makeup, and had a shadow wrapped around her chin and jaw line.
Her long, chestnut hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and the
effect only underscored her manly appearance. I cringed at the idea of
being intimate with such a creature, and the idea popped up that maybe my
fascination with special girls was fleeting.
But still I stepped toward the door when she gestured to me, like I was
obligated. And I suppose I was. She sat through my sob story, so the least
I could do was review her proposal.
Without a greeting, or any small talk, she pointed towards the ocean, "Go
down this street until you come to the beach. At the end of this street,
you will find a young woman named Marisa. She will be sitting beneath a
blue and white umbrella. Marisa is a very beautiful woman, and she is
expecting you." With that, she closed the door and was gone.
I've never gone in for games or cloak-and-dagger stuff, but still, I had
nothing better to do, and started walking.

When I got through the parking lot, onto the edge of the beach, I noticed 2
things: there weren't very many people there at this time of day, but there
were 2 blue and white umbrellas. Naturally.