Chapter 1

DAY ONE

An icon in the erotic poetry genre, she needed no introduction. Although we had never met in person, I was expecting them and recognized her immediately, standing away from the airport carousel The chocolate-brown curly locks cascading over her face told me it was her and other had to be her cousin Eva. As I strolled over to greet two ladies. I saw them whispering in each other’s ears. Big brown eyes opened wide in surprise, then her lip turned up to join her visual appraisal of me.

There was a brief verbal exchange and she turned to flash daggers at her companion. “Oh no!” my inner voice told me, “She’s dissatisfied with me.” The long-awaited meeting with my pen pal, my friend, would be profound disappointment. She must have seen the expression on my face as her hand covered her mouth in surprise. White teeth flashed a wide smile as kind eyes reassured me.

A tall young man strode towards her, paused and then kept walking, the height contrast exposing she was a little lady. Good things come in small packages. When a guy sees a petite woman, his instincts kick in to protect her. In his eyes she is more feminine, and he will feel stronger and more appreciated for taking care of her. But small girls are fierce, she could be intense if you crossed her. I know that.

First impression? Maria did not look as I had pictured her. For one her skin was a warm Mediterranean tone, smooth without blemish, not quite olive but certainly not the Nubian trace I expected. Her eyes revealed a maturity that belied her young appearance. A well-defined face accentuated plump lips.

“Maria, I always knew you were more amazing than the shy girl you saw in the mirror. My head cannon was a spicy Chiquita, beautiful, brilliant poet/temptress. In person you are striking! That 19-year-old diva grew into a radiant woman, wife, and mother. The years have been a friend to you,” I had not expected to speak so boldly.

I wasn’t sure if her look was doubt or gratitude. She stared in amazement, as though I was a talking animal. I realized she had never heard my voice. Cousin Eva began to explain: “he knew nothing of the phony encounter. God’s truth, Maria. I have known your secret for years, but never told anyone, did I? I saw you had a friend, or should I say follower in California. When you found out about the Writer’s Guild at the San Diego Comicon, you looked so animated. I thought I could hitch a ride and get a fresh start on the West Coast. But I didn’t know anyone, and you wouldn’t take this step on your own.”

“I began to write Martin pretending to be you. At first, he was a little suspicious of my style, so I kept the messages brief. He seemed like a decent, dependable guy and never pressed me, especially after I told him about the trip. He was excited about the chance for me (you) to explore my (your) true passion to be a writer,’ Eva defended.

I broke in, “Now I understand your panic, Maria, you thought this was all a ruse.”

“And you Eva, this is wrong! Even though I’m delighted to meet Maria in person, there are potential consequences. We are both married. I never even considered we would hook up, and I know she didn’t want to cross any barriers. What do we do now?” my face flushed as I searched for an answer.

Some explanation was in order. We were more than pen-pals but had drawn a bright line to avoid becoming friends with benefits. Our personal lives were an open book, but there were unwritten rules not to talk about our marriages and not give out photos or contact info. And not try to meet-up.

Maria’s focus was her little family of three and was she very close to her parents, even though she was a grown woman. None of them had any inclination she was a successful, self-professed ‘popular porn playwright.’ She once penned to me, “you must know that I’m very shy and a major introvert. If I had a choice, I’d never leave my house.”

I broke the rule about discussing family life when I wrote Maria to tell her about my wife’s affair. I decided not to kick her out because of the three children. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to my friends and Maria helped me get through a difficult time. Maria also suffered from bouts of depression. Resisting the urge to “fix the problem” like a leaky sink, I did my best to support, encourage and remind her she was not alone, that we all had seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter.

“Well Maria, what say you?’ a phrase familiar to us.

“Let’s start by saying, hello, hello, it is nice to finally meet you” Maria’s voice melodic and sweet. And the way her tongue flicked the roof of her mouth when she pronounced ‘hello’ drew my eyes to her full succulent lips.

“You are the siren in the poem I shared with you “I stammered, “that voice, that lovely voice. You could read the phonebook and knock me off my feet.”

“I don’t know about that,” she giggled sending shivers up my spine. Maria smiled and held out her arms to welcome me. Indoor air conditioning at the San Diego airport at mid-morning was cooler than outside. We had dressed suitably for July, her in a tank top and both of us in shorts. I lifted the five-foot one dainty into a warm hug, large soft breasts flattening against my hard chest. First contact was satisfying for both. She made no attempt to break away as her hands clasped around my neck.

Ironically, she never corrected me when I had written that the stories about babes that always had mammoth breasts were not realistic. Maria guessed what I was thinking as she giggled, “yes 36DD’s,” My ears burned with embarrassment, Maria never let on that she was aware of my secret fascination with big sloppy naturals. Mustering my will, I stepped back and threaded fingers through her ringlets, turned our heads down slightly, and drew our foreheads together, her legs wrapped around my hips.

Finally pulling us apart I took both ladies by the hand to lead them to collect the baggage. Maria may have thought I was being macho picking up all the luggage, pulling four on rollers and carrying others. Truth-be-told that brief body to body connection gave me an embarrassing erection which I was trying to hide. Even when I broke contact, I drew in the fragrant strands of her almost waist length braids, one perfectly out of place, and drank the minty scent of her breath. I had to get a handle on myself.

The encounter reminded me of my very first experience walking through the gates of the Magic Kingdom when I was a boy. Recalled were the wonder and explosion of smells, sights, and sounds. Those fancies were stored in a remote area in my brain. As an adult I had never expected to behold the real Maria, much less have a chance to be with her for a few days. Fantasyland indeed, my senses were overloaded by her womanhood. If I had to combine everything into one word, it would be magical.

The exertion of struggling to balance the bags and not make a fool of myself brought oxygen into my brain. “Keep cool Marty, don’t blow this,” I told myself. Fortunately, Maria displayed her usual unflappable composure, so I didn’t read anything into her coy smile. I must have looked ridiculous, that was all.

Our procession led to the curb where my friend Jim was waiting in his Kona Blue 2011 Mustang, convertible, top down. He jumped out to help me fill up the trunk, Maria and I climbed into the back seat of the coupe, bare legs touching. “Which way to the Casbah?’ questioned Jim without turning.

The girls made a reservation at Hotel Pacifica one block from the ocean and nearby the venue. When we went to check them in, the office was packed with a crowd of people shoulder to shoulder. Row by row of flustered tourists closest to the desk were being turned away. Hotel had been ridiculously overbooked. Eva pushed herself to the front only to find the situation was hopeless. Lodgings in San Diego usually fill up in the summer, but the present-day overpopulation was more like Spring break.

Maria stewed, “What are we going to do? Is the same thing going to happen at Comicon? I have been waiting a year since they announced a literary faction would become part of the festival. I always make the sacrifices, for my family, my career. When is my turn for fun?”

“I thought you were attending writing seminars. Show me your tickets, see, you have number 50 for today. I don’t expect the mass numbers because your interests are quite different than the comic crazies. If you are not attending the main events, then there won’t be a horde of people.”

“A mutual friend owns a quaint house, a block from the beach a short drive from here. I know for a fact that they are away and I also know where the key is hidden. I have crashed there many times, for every problem there is a solution, I reassured her.”

Climbing into our ride, I cheerfully spoke out, “let’s drop our stuff off there and head to Seaport Village. The seminar doesn’t start for a few hours. You need bikinis to be blend into the scene.”

Maria was dubious, said her frown. “You know I haven’t worn a bikini in years, especially since kiddo was born. I love to swim, or used to, but I wear shorts and a T in the water.”

Eva changed the subject, “I want to see the ocean first, let’s go for a drive” After we passed through downtown, the highway headed south, skirting a body a water on the right. “That doesn’t look like the sea, where are we?”

“Actually, that is the San Diego Bay, we will make a big loop and you can see the sea.” The stereo speakers boomed out ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ as Jim called out, “I’ll crank it up, no road trip is complete without music.”

The ladies got their first view of the Great Blue Pacific on the return trip north. Jim parked by the highway facing Strands Beach. Looking out across the coast, we couldn’t see the divide that separated water from sky. Far off clouds had the appearance of ghosts hovering above the waves. Jim pulled a set of binoculars from the glove box, and coached “If you look carefully, you can see a pod of blue whales two miles out on the horizon.”

“Yes, I think I can see their fins, they look smaller than expected,” Eva proclaimed, “here Maria.”

“Not too small at over 100 tons,” I corrected. “Maria, try to be still and train your eye on the spot, you should be able to make out the humps when they surface.”

Maria’s call of ‘magnificent’ signaled she had located them. She handed to spyglass to Eva, who opened her mouth in awe.

Jim broke in, “this will be the best ‘fishing trip’ we ever had.” Back at the port parking lot Jim changed the game plan, “We don’t need any fancy fishing gear, but we could use a new cooler. Marty let’s split up. I’ll drop you and Maria off at the entrance to save time looking for a parking space. Call me when you are ready to be picked up.”

When we reached the entrance to waterfront shopping at Seaport Village, Maria and I leaped out of the car without opening the door as Jim drove off.

“I will try to make this day about you,” I put forward. “There’s a nice swimwear shop here with all kinds of high-end form fitting choices.

“I didn’t bring enough money,” Maria was without blame for her objections. She had been swept away in an adventure over which she had little to no control.

“You would never buy one for yourself, this is my treat. I saved up happy money, enjoy yourself,’ I beseeched her.

Maria caved in, “what the hell, I might as well. I haven’t done anything for me in so damn long. What’s the old saying, in for a penny in for a pound?”

Wary I was pushing my luck I asked, “Is it OK to hold your hand? I don’t want you to be uncomfortable”

“Sure, by now I should know you have earned my trust, I can let go and be free,” Maria snickered.

“Your trust will be put to the test. It’s one thing to write ‘dirty talk’ 1300 miles apart. But to see you in the flesh and hear your enchanting voice is more than a temptation, even for a Christian,” I confessed. I hope my brief shake of the head in disbelieve did not actually show.

Maria put my worries to rest,” Relax. Let’s make a couple of rules. Anything covered is off limits to touch. We keep our privates hidden for a reason. I’ll let YOU know when you reach a danger zone. I don’t have to tell you, no means no. Let’s have some fun, I haven’t ventured out in a long time.” I was pleased with her reply.

We strolled through the open mall, Maria chattering along the way, random thoughts while taking in the open marketplace. I had a little bit of difficulty following her as what I heard was the song of a nightingale. Feeling my cellphone vibrate in my pocket, I looked to see Jim’s name light up. I put him on speaker as I answered.

“Change of plans, man. Eva wants to get away on an excursion. Can you handle it?” Jim’s words reflected in Maria’s glower.

Maria heard everything, “Martin, what are you guys up to?”

“Let me call you back,” I quickly ended the call.

“Houston, we have a problem. Little problems often lead to bigger ones and soon the mission is out of control. First there was your surprise appearance, then the hotel debacle and the unanticipated availability of the beach house. Now we are splitting up before we even had a chance to get to get comfortable with each other,” Maria laid out what she thought was a secret plot.

“I didn’t plan anything. Jim was brought along so that Eva wouldn’t be a third wheel. We knew nothing of the identity switch. He has been my best friend since high school,” I championed.

Maria interrupted me, “what about me? Aren’t we best friends?”

“Jim was my best man. You are my best woman. He knows nothing of our situation. Sometimes, coincidences happen for a reason. A chance meeting has brought us together, for a friend please show off that bright smile of yours.”