Chapter 1

With summer approaching and nothing compelling on my schedule, I had expressed frustration to both my parents over not being able to enroll in an appropriate computer science class at the local community college. Mom had mentioned this to Aunt Jane during a telephone conversation, and Aunt Jane had quickly suggested that I enroll in the course at the junior college near her and Uncle Dick's home in San Diego. She volunteered to keep me well fed during the eight-week curriculum.

When Mom repeated Aunt Jane's suggestion, it took little reflection on my part to decide. A summer of one course and the rest of the day on the beach was pretty much a "no brainer." My enrollment was arranged over the next couple of days, and I began packing. My wardrobe needed to consist of little more than shorts and t-shirts, though I gave in to Mom's hectoring that I include some "nice things" for special occasions.

I had visited Uncle Dick and Aunt Jane's place a couple of times before, but as a child. The memory of the salt air that wafted in their open windows and patio doors was still clear in my mind. The patio of their townhouse literally opened onto the white sand of a long and beautiful beach in San Diego. The trip would be another first for me - a ten-hour ride on Amtrak.

After kissing or hugging everyone in the family goodbye, I rode with my dad to the train station. We were quick, as always, with our farewell, and I boarded the train with plenty of excitement. I had brought along a couple of paperbacks for entertainment, but the rapidly changing scenery held my attention for almost the entire trip.

The train pulled into the San Diego station shortly after 9:00 p.m. I stepped down from the train and breathed deeply, taking in the contrast of the great San Diego atmosphere and the diesel fumes generated by the engine. In less than ten seconds I spotted Uncle Dick ambling toward me in the distance. Like my dad, his brother, Uncle Dick is well over six feet, but he is of much heavier frame. He is a highly skilled machinist and works in the aero/space industry.

Uncle Dick extended his hand and gave me his trademark bone-crushing handshake. I grinned, and he grabbed my single duffle bag, tossing it over his shoulder as though it was weightless. We strode together to the parking lot, found his big SUV, and began the twenty-minute drive home. He warned me in advance that Aunt Jane had been baking up a storm in preparation for my arrival.

No sooner had we pulled up in front of their townhouse, than Aunt Jane literally bounded out the door to greet me. I hadn't seen her in several years, but my childhood perception of her as very pretty remained unchanged upon seeing her. She hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. My failure to notice or remember her very large breasts is probably attributed to my age when last seeing her, but it was impossible to miss now. Though of very trim figure, Aunt Jane's bosom was magnificently endowed.

Grabbing me by the upper arm, Aunt Jane led me into the house, while Uncle Dick grabbed my bag and followed. She quickly directed me to a chair in the kitchen and slid a large slice of freshly baked chocolate cake in front of me, along with a tall glass of milk. I grinned and reached for my fork. Uncle Dick joined me, and in an interval of a very few minutes, we jointly damaged nearly half of a very large cake. Aunt Jane just sat across from us with her chin in her palms, beaming from ear to ear.

When the cake was eaten, Aunt Jane dragged me upstairs and proceeded to help me unpack my things. Their townhouse is of modern design, with two bedrooms - both upstairs, and each with its own bath. Both bedrooms open onto a rooftop deck that affords incredible views of the beach and the Pacific. I was thrilled at the prospect of sleeping here with the ocean air wafting through the screened windows. After turning back my bed, Aunt Jane gave me a quick peck on the cheek and told me she would knock on my door at 6:00 for breakfast.