A Summer in Time

Chapter IX: "A Night to Remember"

A SUMMER IN TIME by Norman H. Goroshnik
CHAPTER IX: THE FALL SEASON: "A NIGHT TO REMEMBER" 

Waking up to a new day, Friday was always a day to look forward to.

Cape Cod is a long way from Brooklyn.  Paul had his own apartment there.  He liked New York City and felt if he slept at night, he would miss something!

David sat on the edge of Paul's bed, looking at Paul, trying to engage him in conversation.  Paul was stretched out, enjoying the tranquility.

"Paul, what is going on with you and Blair?" David asked. 

"Why are you asking?" replied Paul, arranging his pillow for more comfort.

"Are you falling for her?" asked David, his trusted buddy.  "It looks that she has you going in circles!" he added.

"What do you want me to tell you?" asked Paul.

"I can see you like her but I don't think she is the girl for you," David admitted, hitting Paul where it hurt.  "I know you pretty well by now, Paul, we have been on a lot of double dates together.

"That is a hell of a thing to say!" Paul replied.

"Paul, I am telling you, she is not the girl for you!" repeating himself.  "Be careful, you are    going to get hurt!"  David hoped he had put it strongly enough.

"What a way to ruin someone's day!"  Paul, lie there on his bed, filled with doubt.  Why did David bring this up? Why would he try to end Paul's newly found relationship with Blair?  David had to see something in Blair that Paul could not see.   He never expected to hear this from David.  But it only made Paul more determined to change David's opinion of Blair.

An hour had gone by before David and Paul were on their way out. They would get something to eat then drive over to the cottage to see what was going on.

Before they got to the Plymouth, a car pulled into the driveway and a very pretty girl got out.  They both watched as she walk toward the front door of the cottage.

Mrs. Baxter, the landlady, came out to greet the new arrival.   "David, Paul, I would like you to meet Carol.  She is here for the weekend.  Please help to make her feel welcome."

Paul shook Carol's hand, "hope to see you on the beach!"

David backed out of the driveway, turning left, making sure he cleared the bushes at the end of the driveway then made a beeline for the family restaurant for breakfast.

There didn't talk while they ate.  Paul could not hold a grudge against his friend.

When they arrived at your cottage, David greeted you very simply, walking past you seated on a lawn chair, certainly enjoying the last days of summer.

As Paul approached you he said quite loudly, "that boy has found a home here, " trying to add some humor.  All the while, Paul looked directly at you, searching for some unforeseen clue.  A hint.  Because of his anxiety perhaps, he failed to see anything unusual.

Sheila strolled out of the cottage.  "We are going to Hyannis to go shopping.  Blair, do you want to come along?"

Sheila and David were like Alka-Seltzer--there was no romantic connection between them. David was in no hurry to get serious with a girl. He was going to school to become an industrial arts teacher.

"Blair, is it all right if I tag along?"  Paul played with the question.

"Sure, you can help carry packages," you answered with a happy enough smile.

You and Paul Strolled along Hyannis' Main Street, passing by the stores and gift shops.  Paul's spirits were definitely up--any time with you was magic!  Up ahead you spotted a leather shop. The smell of fresh cut leather filled the air around the entranceway.

"I would like to find a leather bag.  I have been looking for one a long time," you said.

A bell went off in Paul's head.  He walked into the shop and approached a man in a leather apron, sitting on a wooden, stool cutting and shaping leather.  Samples of  bags and leather were everywhere.  Paul spotted a bag.  It was black and shaped like a horse's feedbag.

"How long does it take to make  a bag?" Paul asked the man.

"I need an hour and a half, " the man replied.

Paul turned to you, "Blair, how do you like this bag?" he asked in a positive tone.

"It is beautiful, but if you are thinking of what I am thinking...PAUL I CAN'T LET YOU DO THIS!  This is crazy! It is so expensive," you cried out.

"But Blair, I want you to have it," Paul insisted, "from me to you!  This way you won't forget me when you get back home."  Paul showed strength or maybe it was stubborness.  Perhaps it was both!

"Blair, you can't get a bag like this for what he is charging, it's custom-made."

"If I accept it, I will get you something when I get home! I can't believe this is happening!"  You were flabbergasted that Paul would do this for you.

"Then it is settled!"  Paul turned back to the craftsman and said, "I want you to make a bag for me like that black horse's feedbag.  We will be back in two hours."

You left the shop.  Walking closest to the curb, Paul looked down and noticed you weren't wearing shoes.  The  fear that plagued him earlier had disappeared.

The two of you allowed ample time shopping then returned to the leather shop. Paul handed the shopkeeper some money and picked up the leather bag.  He took pride in seeing how much you enjoyed getting the bag.  It was all in the excitement and all in your expression.

It was about two o'clock when you arrived back at the cottage. Still early enough to go to the beach.  Everyone got ready and like a replay, both of you were back at the beach again.

It was a little too cool to go into the water.  Paul was as happy as can be as he looked at you sitting next to him on the beach blanket.  

"Of all the beaches in the world. You had to show up at Craigville Beach.''  Paul was doing his best Bogart impression from Casablanca.  You smiled at Paul, making him feel special.  Paul was sharp.  You noticed he had a way about him.  He was outgoing and not at all shy or bashful.

There was talk of a beach party being planned for that evening.

Paul called the girls staying at the cottage "Little Women".  They were young, proud, confidant, gracious and attractive.  They carried themselves with class. 

After two hours at Craigville Beach, you returned to the cottage.  Paul noticed a very good looking guy walking over to Laura.

"Who is that guy?"  Paul asked you.

"That's Charles.  He came to see Laura. He wants to marry her," you told Paul.

"They sure look like a great couple," Paul remarked.

 "How can you tell?" you asked.

"I can tell he cares for her by the way he looks at her and by his body language."

"They know each other from school and have been dating a long time," you said.

Abby stood on the lawn, "listen everybody, we are going to Sandwich Beach. So, figure out what you need to take and which car you are going in. Be ready in one hour!" Abby was an assistant vice president for a large corporation in Boston.

She was dating some guy she met on the beach.  Charles with Laura,  David and Sheila.  Paul had you of course. You would need two cars.  The hour flew by, and the call went out, "Let's go everybody!"  

It wasn't long before the road tCharles had taken came to a fork. Charles slowed down to read the sign.  Paul leaned out the window and told Charles to take the road on the right.  You were surprised at Paul's ability to chose the direction.  Of course the road Paul chose was the right one.

"How did you know which road to take?" you asked Paul.  "Were you ever here before?"

"No, it was just something I learned to do when I was in the Army," Paul replied.  The beach had to be east of the highway.  Sort of a half -truth. 

Further up ahead, Charles spotted some fisherman by the side of the road. Charles stopped to ask for directions. The men had pick-up trucks with balloon tires and all sorts of fishing gear and equipment.  They were outfitted for driving across the beach and camping out to do some night fishing for  sea bass.

Starting up again, Charles realized his left front tire was stuck in the loose sand.  It really sank down.  The fisherman started up one of the pick up trucks and came over. They hooked on a steel cable, welded to the front bumper for just such a problem.  One good pull in reverse and Charles car was back on the solid road again.   Charles had an extra bottle of whiskey in the trunk of his car which he gave to the fishermen with great thanks.

A small sign showed the way to the beach parking lot.   In minutes, everyone was busy unloading the cars.  The guys carried the supplies.  The girls held hands so as not to separate or fall.

A sand dune blocked some light and made it hard to get on the beach and find a spot to set up camping.  Eventually a spot was agreed upon and the guys went off to find driftwood for a fire.        

All along the beach, other parties were in progress.  Campfires broke through the night covering.  You could hear the crackling of wood burning and see the spparks escaping upward.   The cold clammy night air was filled with the smell of burgers cooking.  Beer cans popped open and a portable radio playing dance music.  

After everyone had their fill of food and drink they took a short nap.  The night grew older and the surf was invisible.   A horn sounded as a freighter headed out to sea.

Paul held you to himand his kisses said, " I can be yours if you want me!"

The glowing fire started to die out and the beach grew even colder.

"I guess the summer is over, "  Paul said.

"You helped to make it enjoyable for me, Paul," you whispered to him.

He took that as a compliment and was comforted by the feeling that you were accepting him.  But to what extent remained to be seen. 

No matter what the future held for you good, bad or indifferent, both you and Paul at least had this moment in time together.  It was truly a night to remember! 

Paul led you off the beach to the cars leaving to go back to the cottage. 

Coming soon:  CHAPTER  X
No one can predict what can  happen over night that can make or break any relationship. One day may differ from the previous.  There was still Saturday and Sunday left!  What is going to happen once Paul and Blair leave Hyannisport?   Continue reading!  There are more surprises coming your way.

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