A Summer in Time

"A Beacon of Light"

A SUMMER IN TIME by Norman H. Goroshnik 
CHAPTER IV: "A BEACON OF LIGHT"

It was hard to believe it was still Monday. An enjoyable day, anticipating things to come. Vacationing at a beach setting. Exciting to be making new friends.

David chose a parking spot, there in the dark empty parking lot at Craigville Beach closest to where the beach began, offering a short walk, on to the sandy beach.

Off came the shoes, hearing the quiet waves washing up on to the shore and retreating outward. A soft breeze thinned out the humidity and the heat. The sand underfoot gave a sense of comfort; it took but a little time to adjust to the darkness.

An exclusive, friendly stillness over hung the time of night at the beach.  A beacon of light set on a timer, had to come from some pier, which sprayed a warning light for boaters that were still anchored out for the night, close enough to the shoreline, to wait until morning to come into the marina. Other than that, it was complete darkness.

"Paul! If you are going to go for a swim, then go!" Ordering him just then.  That broke the silence all around. He reacted quickly, removing his sport shirt over his head, tugging at his bathing suit; he sprinted down to the surf, diving in.

Sheila and David were already in the water. Some distance away from Paul.

It would have been fun for you to go in for a swim with Paul, had you not been afraid of swimming in the dark. Standing with your arms crossed, waiting.

 "Blair!"

"Right here Paul!  Keep coming this way!"

Finding you, dripping wet, handing him a towel to dry himself off.

"That was great!" said Paul pulling his shirt over his head. The shirt soaked up the water still in his hair, and from his back.

A new light flashed from a boat anchored out in the sound. The reflection danced on the water for just 60 seconds.

Finding your hand, beginning to lead to walk a ways up the beach. With every step the sand shrinking under foot. No longer were both of you able to hear Sheila, David and the girls talking. Everything became personal. A little more intimate, a little more exciting with anticipation.

Paul, placing his hand on your shoulder, turning you in front of him, lowering his head, just enough to place his lips on yours. He kissed you with such contentment.  Blair! You did not appear at all surprised. You leaned close to him to hold you tight.   

"This moment in time, " in his life, far different than kissing a girl on a beach, on a date, or some boyish delight. He seemed to have found " THE MEANING OF LIFE!" That is love for which the exploration on this planet  never ends.

Paul!  Completely transformed. Lightning would not have harmed him at all.  A   powerful shock had erupted through his body. His life began anew.  

His kiss filled with all the tenderness he could project. His long arms encircling you smoothly. Enclosing, caring, longing, responding to being the man that he knew he had to be. Dramatic as it was. Magic has its way with emotions. But this was like nothing he could ever hoped for himself. He continued to kiss you. There was nothing in the way not to allow both of you to fulfill the desire to give to one another.

Paul released you when he felt it was the right moment to separate.    He turned side ways in order to position himself so as to be able to hold your left hand. Leading the way being closest to the surf. Without speaking at all. Half dazed by all this, combined with the stillness, the obscurity of it all. The truth of the matter, if either one of you spoke, it would of spoiled that moment. That night belonged to both of you. This had to be so important to him.  Paul did not have the advantages in his younger days.

Could it have been for you, something that you also wished to happen? 

Passing a row boat that was beached in the sand. Paul stopped for a moment. By then he could make out the others, talking and laughing.

After finally returning to the blanket, Paul removed his wet shirt. Reaching down for a sweater he brought along. Helping you with your jacket. There must have been an enormous amount of excitement flowing through you, as well as through Paul.

He had to help with your jacket.  You went about spreading out the beach towel. Lying by his side, noticing even through the darkness how he looked at you. Drawing pictures in his mind perhaps. Searching for something to say. 

"I noticed you do not smile to0 much and you're not that talkative! " He had to be thinking very hard. Planning his questions, although Paul was unable to ask any. Questions! Wanting to know more.  Paul was more concerned, in which way would this alter unselfishly of him, for your feelings at that moment.  

The excitement generated enough heat to warm you in his arms. No words could of described this fantasy, reacting to some kind of blessing, given to a guy from Brooklyn.

Paul was sort of out of his environment. Cape Cod was a whole new experience.

No one could of come away from such a moment without being a little softer, a little less troubled, a lot deeper.

It  had to be Paul who awakened your senses--feeling someone cared. Not just for that night! It was all-different now! Emotionally! It wasn't as passion! All this had had an unforeseen meaning! Something special! And indeed it was.  

"Blair!" Sheila called out. " We better go now, it is getting late."

Paul held out his hand to you.  Brushed the sand off of himself.  Watching you do the same. Feeling the disappointment that the moment was ending.

Together finding the way up to David's car, waiting until David, Sheila, Teri and Abby caught up to leave.

Paul was so close!  Staying as if a force was going to pull you away from him. All seemed right with the world.  Perhaps that could have been for you also. He asked nothing from you! Nothing at all! He was there only to give of himself.

Being thankful for the wind now coming through the Plymouth's windows. The warm wind that blew in across your face, which helped to project how pretty you were, sitting in the back seats, along side of Paul. 

Because of the late hour, the streets had little or no traffic at all. 

It had a subdued effect. The darkness of the interior seemed as if the others in the car were invisible. The emotional energy, within you both was not at all visible.

Upon arriving back at the cottage, the night air continued to cool down somewhat, making it more bearable. The humidity lessened. Delivering the smallest breeze working it's way inland from Nantucket Sound; brought the smell of sea life, salt sprays. Sounds of sea gulls adding to the painting of the night. 

Once inside the cottage, all enjoyed exchanging the dampness from the beach for more acceptable comfort.  Everyone went about changing clothes.

Paul took his hands out of his pockets to accept the Gin and Tonic Teri made for him.

Thanking her with the warmest of acceptance, he slipped down onto the couch, anxiously  waiting  for you to come down from your room.

Finally coming down into the living room, concealing a  special secret. A cold glass of Ginger Ale was enough just then. It still appeared you were testing your mixed emotions. Sort of standing in the middle of the living room undecided which way to go at first.

Sheila and David walked out to the porch. With drinks in their hands, they were getting along very well, enjoying the give and take conversation they were into.

Gliding across the carpet preparing to sit on the couch. Not wanting to sit too close to Paul just then. Trying to sort of fit in within the general scheme of things.

Teri, by now happily saying to Paul, "You are a nice guy!"

"Thank you! You are a delight!" He answered.

Minutes felt like hours to Paul. Purposely reaching over, he took your hand.

Rehearing this in his mind, perhaps a thousand times over. Lifting you to your feet. Without a word, he danced you over toward the kitchen. In that moment, unsure how to act. The kitchen door closed behind him.  Paul moved closer to you, wanting you to look right at him. Preparing himself for you to visibly see how much he needed you. 

"This isn't right, Paul," you said in more of a whisper.

Was Paul asking for assurance from you just then?  It was hard to tell. Was there reason to shut down and turn away from him? Why would you want to?  He would have expected some form or rejection. That he could of expected! Why he had to know just then had to do with his insecurity.  Some indication of acceptance was called for.

Then again, were you in some way asking him to help you with this?  Wondering! Reluctant!  If you could trust your own personal feelings. Your face gave your away.

"Blair!  Most of the time you barely entered into conversations. Keeping to yourself as if there was some deep, dark secret that you did not want to come out.

Something special was happening to you.  Thinking perhaps someone would need to come into the kitchen. On the other hand, above all, not wanting to pull away.  As for Paul, no matter what will happen tomorrow, how you react to him in the morning had to be the question.  This had to be a milestone in his life.   Knowing before hand this night was going to be mental torture.   Monday ended on a happy note.

Coming soon: CHAPTER V  "Getting to know you!"
Once again meeting Tuesday at Craigville Beach. The day that tells the story of how Paul and Blair attempted to create a bond.

A Summer in Time: Table of Contents