Sending up Shoots - Part IV

Peering over her menu at him, Elizabeth couldn't help but think about how breathtaking he was. Playful dimples on his clean-shaven cheeks, muscles chiseled from several years of semi-pro baseball and free weights he had in his garage, and blond hair baked even lighter in the sun. Physically, anyway, he was everything she'd been looking for in her life. Refocusing on her menu, she looked back on the activities of the ten days since she'd met him. She'd seen him every day and he'd proven himself emotionally, financially, intellectually and even romantically. On the third day he'd brought her a golden charm bracelet with a fish, a snorkel and a heart wrapped around the top of a dozen red roses. Tonight was his last on the island. It had to be the best. "What are you going to have?" she asked, almost shyly. His smoky eyes scanned the entrees on the menu and finally settled on one entry. "I think I'll have the Chicken Parmigiana," he said with a smile. "How about you?" Lost in the profundity of his eyes, she mumbled vapidly, "I think I will, too." As much as she reflected on it, she still didn't understand it. She was a face in the crowd, a generic wanderer. He was beautiful, the one who sticks out in a group, a shining light. Why would such a man be interested in her? Their first real date had come the very night after their fated meeting on the beach. He'd picked her up in his rental car and took her to a small, intimate beach he'd read about that afternoon on line. Reaching into the back seat he lifted out a picnic basket and a large blanket he'd bought at the local department store. They dined like royalty on fried chicken and baked beans. "Would you like extra toast with that as well?" said the waiter. Suddenly and quickly coming back to reality, she felt like she'd just driven down a stretch of road and didn't remember one second of it. She hadn't heard a word he'd said, but now realized she'd order just the same. "S-s-s-sure," she stuttered, lifting her napkin to her mouth to try and somewhat hide her glowing cheeks. "Are you all right?" he asked. "You seem like you're somewhere else." She lowered her head slightly, pausing to look at the slight cleft in his chin. Smiling softly she nodded. "I'm fine," she said. "I have just been thinking about the last ten days and how much I'm going to miss you." He reached out and took her hand. Tenderly he caressed her soft, tanned skin. "It'll only be a few days," he said softly. "We can Skype and then I'll be back. It will almost feel like nothing." He smiled and melted her heart all with one deft move. She would have given him anything. And he knew it. Coming soon - Part V