Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had some incredible times on beaches.\u00a0 Parties that I will remember for the rest of my life.\u00a0 Concerts for more kinds of music than I knew existed.\u00a0 Bonfires, and singing, and dancing, and laughing.\u00a0 And sometimes I\u2019ve walked up and down a boardwalk with a girl.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to say which times are more amazing.\u00a0 They\u2019re different, and I love them all.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jack watched Alpha Centauri A slip below the horizon, leaving only Cen B\u2019s orange bulk low in the sky.\u00a0 As he watched, Proxima\u2019s red dot appeared in the sky as well for a few seconds before fading away.\u00a0 It usually flared every hour or so.\u00a0 It was more amazing when both suns were down of course, but even during the day it was impressive to watch.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen pictures of course, but the reality of New Earth\u2019s sky was so much more amazing than any picture could tell.<\/p>\n
Jack turned away from the sight, shaking his head in wonder, and scanned the beach next to him.\u00a0 Ocean waves washed onto the beach with a dull roar.\u00a0 Men, women, and children laughed and played in the surf and the sand.\u00a0 Some lay on the beach, taking advantage of the remaining twilight to finish their sunbathing.\u00a0 Jack scanned the bikini-clad bodies and smiled.\u00a0 He really loved beaches.<\/p>\n
A throat cleared itself next to him and he turned to look at Betty.\u00a0 She was at home on the boardwalk, wearing her favorite yellow sundress and white sandals.\u00a0 The dressed fluttered in the salty warm breeze coming off the ocean, and he aimed an innocent smile her way.<\/p>\n
She arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t give me that look,\u201d she said in a stern tone.\u00a0 \u201cI know you too well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jack held the smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhat?\u00a0 No jury would convict me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Betty\u2019s face twisted into a sweet smile.\u00a0 \u201cBut Samantha<\/em> might.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s hands reached for the scarf hanging around his neck reflexively.\u00a0 \u201cWe don\u2019t even know each other yet,\u201d he returned.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you\u2019re here to meet her,\u201d Betty rejoined.\u00a0 \u201cOgling other girls is not a way to make a good impression.\u201d\u00a0 Her amused smile vanished and she cleared her throat.\u00a0 \u201cWell, I suppose I should leave you now.\u00a0 Good luck, Jack,\u201d she said and faded away.<\/p>\n Jack swallowed, slipped a hand into his pants pocket, and pulled in a deep breath.\u00a0 He held his head high and looked out over the beach, watching the sunbathers and swimmers packing up to go home.\u00a0 He breathed in and out in time to the waves, and waited.<\/p>\n A fresh set of footsteps on the boardwalk approached his position and he felt electricity in the air.\u00a0 He smiled and continued to scan the oncoming waves, waiting.\u00a0 The footsteps stopped behind him.\u00a0 He smiled and turned around to see flaming red hair lit by the falling sun.\u00a0 Jack pulled the white cowboy hat from his head with his free hand and bowed.<\/p>\n \u201cMy lady.\u201d\u00a0 He stood tall again and placed the cowboy hat back on his head as he studied her.\u00a0 A loose white blouse and pleated black skirt fluttered in the breeze and shrouded her lithe body.\u00a0 A scarf that matched his hung around her neck, reaching down to her skirt.\u00a0 Emerald eyes peered back at him with inquisitive intelligence and he knew that she was going to be a seriously wild ride.<\/p>\n She glanced up and down his Dress Whites with an amused smile.\u00a0 \u201cI think someone\u2019s trying to impress me.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack placed his free hand on his belt and held his smile.\u00a0 \u201cIs it working?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha clicked her tongue.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe.\u201d\u00a0 She looked out at the beach and nodded slowly.\u00a0 \u201cEnjoying the scenery?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAs a matter of fact, I was.\u201d\u00a0 He aimed a charming smile at her.\u00a0 \u201cBut it pales in comparison to the Dulcinea who called me here.\u201d<\/p>\n Her eyes widened in surprise.\u00a0 \u201cAnd where<\/em> would this girl be?\u201d\u00a0 He thought it detected a twinkle in her eyes.<\/p>\n Jack smiled in pure pleasure, pulled in a deep breath, and released a long sigh.\u00a0 \u201cIn a castle far away, waiting for her knight in white armor,\u201d he said and pulled his Dress Whites tight with a wry smile.<\/p>\n Samantha smiled and examined the scarf hanging from his neck with an appraising air.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what is this then?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhy, a favor, a boon,\u201d Jack said and waved his free hand in the air like a magician.\u00a0 \u201cA charm of great luck bestowed on me by my Dulcinea,\u201d he finished with a raised finger.<\/p>\n She arched an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYour<\/em> Dulcinea?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and lowered his hand to hold the scarf.\u00a0 \u201cWell, every brave knight needs a reason to ride off to battle with the dark and horrible enemy.\u201d\u00a0 He held her gaze and squeezed the scarf in his hand.\u00a0 \u201cAnd to return,\u201d he added without thinking.<\/p>\n Samantha\u2019s eyes opened wide and he mentally cursed himself for letting his composure slip.\u00a0 Confident, confident, he must be confident<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cOr so the stories say,\u201d he added with a wry smile.<\/p>\n She cocked her head to the side and examined him, a concerned look in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cI thought you were a Cowboy,\u201d she said and raised a hand to tap his cowboy hat\u2019s brim.<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI am.\u00a0 But when was the last time you heard of Don Quixote, the errant cowboy?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha erupted into a laugh of pure amusement and shook her head.\u00a0 She looked back at him with serious eyes.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what if your Dulcinea turns out to be an Aldonza?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReality always trumps fantasy,\u201d Jack answered with a serene smile.\u00a0 He whipped the scarf from around his neck with a smooth motion and held it out to her.\u00a0 \u201cYou ordered me to return this boon tonight, my lady, and I have<\/em>\u2026returned.\u201d<\/p>\n She turned away to look at the beach, but he sensed the corner of her eyes on him and held his stance.\u00a0 Something was reserved about her.\u00a0 She was thinking about something that wasn\u2019t here.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t know what it was, but warning bells clanged in his mind.\u00a0 Their meeting was entering new territory, and he didn\u2019t know what the rules were.<\/p>\n Of course that part was usual with girls.<\/p>\n She finally broke the silence with a single word.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cHmm?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha turned to face him again and he saw determination in her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cWhy did you kiss me last night?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack frowned, flicked the scarf back to drape over one shoulder, and tried a stalling tactic to give him time to think.\u00a0 \u201cWhy did you kiss me first<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n She raised an eyebrow at him and gave him a long look before shrugging.\u00a0 \u201cOK.\u00a0 Fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shivered.\u00a0 He knew girls, and he knew that those two words uttered together were never <\/em>either OK or fine.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll bite,\u201d she said in a sweet tone that sent more shivers down his spine.\u00a0 \u201cI was partying, I was enjoying<\/em> the New Years celebration, I was dancing, and I was having fun.\u00a0 And the ball came down and people started kissing and I decided I wanted to do that too.\u00a0 So I found some random handsome guy who wasn\u2019t kissing anyone and I glomped onto him.\u201d\u00a0 Her mouth pulled down in something near a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cYou think I\u2019m handsome?\u201d Jack said with a smile, trying to shift the conversation to his advantage.<\/p>\n Her eyes narrowed and she brought one finger up to touch her lips.\u00a0 She let out a long breath and extended the finger to push against his chest.\u00a0 \u201cAnd then he kissed me back,\u201d she said, jabbing him with each syllable.\u00a0 \u201cWhy<\/em> did he kiss me back?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack blinked for a moment.\u00a0 He really didn\u2019t<\/em> like being just a random kiss, but it hadn\u2019t been one in the end.\u00a0 He quickly dove back into a charming smile aimed at her.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you<\/em> are an amazing<\/em> young lady who should be kissed well and often.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled.\u00a0 \u201cThat may be true.\u201d\u00a0 Her expression turned more serious.\u00a0 \u201cBut is that really<\/em> why you kissed me?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack spread his arms out wide.\u00a0 \u201cWhy does anybody<\/em> kiss?\u00a0 Sparks.\u00a0 Electricity. \u00a0You\u2019re a good kisser.\u00a0 There\u2019s a lot of reasons we kiss each other.\u00a0 To me it all comes down to whether or not we enjoyed it.\u00a0 I enjoyed it.\u00a0 I really<\/em> enjoyed it.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at the scarf in his hand for a second before meeting her gaze.\u00a0 \u201cYou did too.\u00a0 Has that changed?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u00a0 I did<\/em>\u2026at the time.\u201d\u00a0 She shifted her hand over to brush the scarf and smiled before shaking her head.<\/p>\n Jack realized she was of two minds on last night.\u00a0 She liked it, and was troubled by it.\u00a0 The question was why.\u00a0 He could try to charm her into using just the parts of her that liked it, but that wouldn\u2019t fix the issue really, just delay it.\u00a0 He needed to understand the other mind before he could figure out what to do.\u00a0 Assuming he ever could<\/em> understand of course.<\/p>\n He aimed an understanding smile at her and let out a long breath.\u00a0 \u201cWhat troubles you, my lady?\u201d he asked and waved his hand in a chivalrous manner.<\/p>\n She shook her head but he detected the barest smile in it.\u00a0 \u201cYou make it hard to be angry with you.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack put his hand back on the scarf and smiled at her.\u00a0 This really was dangerous territory if she was trying to be angry with him.\u00a0 He had to know how<\/em> dangerous.\u00a0 \u201cWhy do you wanna be?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t!\u201d Samantha spat out, and shook her head.\u00a0 \u201cBut, I\u2019ve been thinking.\u201d\u00a0 She raised her eyes to meet his again and he saw turmoil in them.\u00a0 \u201cI wanted a short, fun, no commitment kiss.\u00a0 Happy New Year and goodbye honey all in one.\u00a0 Then you grab me, knock me off balance with your flashy little dance moves, and kiss me like\u2026wow\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Her eyes went slack in memory and she paused for a couple seconds.\u00a0 She shook her head to clear it and her expression turned hard again.\u00a0 \u201cBut I made it clear I didn\u2019t want it.\u00a0 I protested.\u00a0 I struggled.\u00a0 You kept kissing me anyways.\u00a0 And no matter how much I liked the kiss, I don\u2019t like that<\/em>,\u201d she finished with a grim look.<\/p>\n Jack licked his lips and looked down, a chill going down his spine as he realized why<\/em> the problem started.\u00a0 He could see her point of view.<\/p>\n She pulled his chin back up and looked him in the eyes.\u00a0 He saw the determination to do whatever needed doing in them.\u00a0 \u201cJack, part of me\u2019s screaming at me right now but I will walk and you will never see me again if I can\u2019t trust you.\u00a0 If you keep playing around with this ridiculous little game of yours that gets you girls, I\u2019m gone.\u00a0 Talk, or I\u2019m gone.\u00a0 Your call.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled and sucked in a deep breath.\u00a0 She had a truly amazing mind, and the stubbornness to stick to her guns no matter what.\u00a0 She was amazing.\u00a0 He felt something in him shift and knew, whether she walked or stayed in the next moments, he would be proud of her for doing it.\u00a0 And she was worth going all the way to make her stay.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right.\u00a0 As you\u2019ve surmised, I\u2019ve kissed a lot of girls in my time,\u201d he said in a calm, clear voice.\u00a0 \u201cHigh school.\u00a0 College.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cMore than one father chased me off at gunpoint.\u201d\u00a0 He shook his head but held her gaze so she could know he was telling the truth.\u00a0 \u201cI knew every one of them.\u00a0 I enjoyed spending time with them.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled again and rubbed his jaw.\u00a0 \u201cI think the only time I ever did homework was with them.\u00a0 More than once, a father barged into bedrooms to find books<\/em> scattered over the bed, thank God.\u201d\u00a0 Jack gave a low whistle.\u00a0 \u201cSaved my bacon let me tell you.\u201d\u00a0 He chuckled for a moment, then chewed his lip for another, and brought one finger up to hold it between them.\u00a0 \u201cLast night\u2019s the first time I ever kissed a stranger.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha stepped back and her eyes shifted from side to side as she considered his words.\u00a0 He waited for her to look back at him before continuing.\u00a0 She needed to know he was truthful.<\/p>\n \u201cI liked the kiss but couldn\u2019t stand<\/em> being the stranger.\u00a0 So I decided to make certain we weren\u2019t strangers by the time the kiss ended,\u201d he finished with a calm look.\u00a0 He spread both arms out wide.\u00a0 \u201cWrong or right, that was it.\u00a0 That was why.\u00a0 And after that I stepped back and waited for your next move.\u201d\u00a0 He took a very small step back, just enough to show his intentions, grabbed the scarf and whipped it off his shoulder to hold it between them.\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want you to walk right now.\u00a0 I really<\/em> don\u2019t.\u201d\u00a0 He swallowed, but now was not the time for half measures.\u00a0 \u201cBut I will never<\/em> stop you from walking if that is your choice.\u00a0 Not today, not tomorrow, not ten years from now.\u00a0 Never.\u201d\u00a0 He gave her a calm smile and waited for her next move.\u00a0 Again.<\/p>\n Samantha remained still, studying him, for what seemed like an eternity.\u00a0 Finally she bit her lip, nodded, and sighed.\u00a0 She stepped close, grabbed the scarf, and very firmly placed it back on his shoulders.\u00a0 He swallowed as an electric shiver ran through his body.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe you,\u201d she whispered and patted the scarf, sending another jolt through him.\u00a0 She turned away from him and gave a slight nod.<\/p>\n Motion caught Jack\u2019s attention and he focused on a man by a car in the distance.\u00a0 The man nodded back, opened the car door, and slipped into it.\u00a0 A few moments later, it lifted off the ground and flew away.\u00a0 A chill went down his spine as the fact that she\u2019d expected to walk settled in.<\/p>\n She turned back to him and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m afraid I didn\u2019t plan very well.\u00a0 Do you<\/em> have any plans?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sucked in a deep breath, gave her his best charming smile and crooked his arm out next to him.\u00a0 He looked down the boardwalk, at the vendors shutting their shops, at the sunbathers going home, and sighed.\u00a0 \u201cWould my lady like to walk down the boardwalk?\u201d<\/p>\n She slipped her arm into his with a smile of her own.\u00a0 \u201cI would love to,\u201d she answered and they began to walk.\u00a0 She leaned in close and whispered.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m glad I kissed a stranger last night.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack let out a long breath and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cJust to be clear, we\u2019re talking about me, right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Samantha slapped him with her free arm.\u00a0 \u201cAnd just how many strangers do you think I kissed last night?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sucked in a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you were moving pretty quick\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJack?\u201d she said and gripped his arm tight.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can shut up now.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n She gave him a satisfied smile.\u00a0 \u201cGood.\u201d\u00a0 She leaned against him as they walked.<\/p>\n Jack looked down, examining the scarf that was a match for the one she\u2019d given him hung around her neck, draping over her breasts.\u00a0 He reached his free hand over to grab the scarf and ran his thumb over it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cA scarf.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack raised an eyebrow at her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of these walking around town.\u00a0 All different colors and patterns.\u00a0 And I see that some of them are more prestigious than others.\u201d\u00a0 He waved her scarf in the general directions of a particularly snooty group of young men and women walking off the beach, all wearing a scarf of some other design.<\/p>\n She smiled and pulled her scarf out of his hands.\u00a0 She waved it in his face.\u00a0 \u201cThey\u2019re school scarves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAhhh,\u201d Jack whispered, projecting a tone of total understanding.\u00a0 \u201cSo they come from a rival high school?\u201d<\/p>\n Her body stiffened and she slapped his arm in a playful manner.\u00a0 \u201cCollege actually.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo,\u201d Jack said, projecting shock as best he could.\u00a0 \u201cThat can\u2019t be.\u201d\u00a0 He cocked his head to the side and examined her smiling face.\u00a0 \u201cUnless you\u2019re one of those honors students of course.\u00a0 Getting ahead of the pack and all that.\u201d<\/p>\n She pressed bumped her hip against his leg playfully.\u00a0 \u201cJust how young do you think I am?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n Jack pulled in a long breath, enjoying the moment and really not wanting to break it.\u00a0 \u201cWell\u2026\u201d he said through pursed lips, considering his words carefully.\u00a0 He smiled as something came to mind.\u00a0 \u201cI think you are old enough to know your father would not approve of me, and young enough that you\u2019re willing to risk it.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cAnd what makes you think my Daddy has any say in who I date?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack sighed and patted her arm with his free hand.\u00a0 \u201cIf you call him Daddy, not Father, you will always<\/em> be his little girl and he will always<\/em> have something to say about who you date.\u00a0 Whether you like it or not.\u00a0 And it will often be through the megaphone of a shotgun aimed at the lad he has something to say to,\u201d he finished with a wry smile.<\/p>\n Samantha chewed her lip for several seconds before shaking her head and patting his arm.\u00a0 \u201cGood answer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI try.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou succeed,\u201d she corrected.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d\u00a0 Jack smiled at the young lady on his arm, enjoying every second of it.\u00a0 \u201cSo what school do you go to?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNew Churchill College.\u00a0 Business major.\u00a0 What about you?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cBemidji State.\u00a0 And if I\u2019m being honest, I majored in music, drinking, and girls, and not necessarily in that order.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha laughed.\u00a0 \u201cDo you play?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her a very large grin.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m told I play very well.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha slapped his arm.\u00a0 \u201cMusic.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cOh\u2026right.\u00a0 That.\u201d\u00a0 Jack made a production of a regretful sigh.\u00a0 \u201cYes, I play the guitar, I pluck a good fiddle, and I can do a mean harmonica too.\u00a0 Do you <\/em>play?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha gave him a slow smile.\u00a0 \u201cYes,\u201d she finally whispered.<\/p>\n Jack pulled in a deep breath in admiration.\u00a0 She truly was a lively<\/em> one.\u00a0 \u201cAre you going to tell<\/em> me?\u201d he finally asked.<\/p>\n She pursed her lips and cocked her head to the side.\u00a0 \u201cDo you think you can guess?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat do I get if I guess right?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n She smiled at him playfully.\u00a0 \u201cA walk on the beach?\u201d<\/p>\n He looked over at the beach.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re already doing that, aren\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Her smile grew.\u00a0 \u201cA longer<\/em> walk on the beach.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOK.\u00a0 I\u2019m in,\u201d he said with a satisfied smile.\u00a0 Jack examined her right hand closely.\u00a0 \u201cWell, no calluses, so you don\u2019t play a guitar.\u00a0 Unless you\u2019re left handed or use a pick.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha shook her head with an approving smile.<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u00a0 So I\u2019m guessing no harmonica?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cCold.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRight.\u201d\u00a0 Jack pursed his lips in thought and scanned her body.\u00a0 She had better posture than most young ladies, suggesting she either had someone who taught her to walk properly, or she played something that required it, or both.\u00a0 He watched her breath for several seconds, recognizing the smooth and controlled tempo of it.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you certainly have healthy lungs,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n Samantha raised a warning eyebrow at him.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m serious,\u201d he answered with a chuckle.\u00a0 \u201cYou control your breathing like you were trained to.\u201d<\/p>\n She pursed her lips, examined him carefully, and finally nodded.<\/p>\n Jack pondered for a moment, and smiled again.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019ve got good lips too.\u00a0 Flute?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled and patted his arm before shaking her head.<\/p>\n \u201cAh\u2026darn.\u201d\u00a0 Jack shrugged and scratched his chin with his free hand.\u00a0 \u201cWell, you don\u2019t have the lips of a brass lass, so no tuba for you.\u201d<\/p>\n She gave him a surprised look for a moment, then shook her head and shuddered theatrically, forcing him to chuckle.\u00a0 It was actually a very good<\/em> theatrical shrug.\u00a0 He frowned and studied her again.\u00a0 She had impressive control of her gait, very graceful, with each step landing exactly where she meant it.\u00a0 He\u2019d seen that before.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have nice legs too.\u201d<\/p>\n She aimed another raised eyebrow at him.<\/p>\n He gave her an innocent smile.\u00a0 \u201cI mean you have good posture and have very good control of where you walk.\u00a0 You do stage work.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled.\u00a0 \u201cGetting warmer,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n Jack smiled back and licked his lips.\u00a0 The theatrical control of her body suggested training.\u00a0 \u201cActing?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha sighed and walked on.<\/p>\n \u201cNot exactly,\u201d Jack whispered and considered more.\u00a0 Back in the club on New Years she had slipped through the crowd without bumping into anybody.\u00a0 \u201cYou know your way through a crowd and have an excellent sense of timing with the music.\u00a0 So you perform in a crowd.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to say no to opera though.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him for a long moment with a curious gaze.\u00a0 \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack smiled at her.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve known opera girls.\u00a0 They wouldn\u2019t have been caught dead<\/em> in that club on New Years.\u00a0 They would be at their family\u2019s Holiday Ball hobnobbing with all the other members of \u2018real society\u2019 and all that bunk.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha nodded in approval.\u00a0 \u201cYou may continue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m going to say no to ballet as well.\u201d\u00a0 At her questioning look, he smiled.\u00a0 \u201cBallet companies prefer stick figure girls.\u00a0 You<\/em>, my lady, are no stick figure girl,\u201d he said with an admiring look.<\/p>\n Samantha laughed and gave his arm a soft pat.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re running out of boardwalk,\u201d she said with a nod.<\/p>\n Jack glanced ahead to see where it ended about a block away.\u00a0 They still had plenty of time.\u00a0 He shrugged and pulled in a deep breath.\u00a0 \u201cI think your performing style is\u2026singing\u2026and some dancing or\u2026choreographed stuff\u2026with a bunch of other people.\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha aimed an admiring smile at him and shifted back and forth on his arm.\u00a0 \u201cGetting hot,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, you are,\u201d he answered.<\/p>\n She slapped his arm.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he whispered and chewed his lower lip as he watched her move.\u00a0 It was a very enjoyable sight.\u00a0 He laughed as all the hints came together.\u00a0 He could be wrong, but it matched everything he knew so far, so it was worth a guess.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m willing to bet a very long walk on the beach, and<\/em> a short dip in the ocean if you approve, that you<\/em> are in a glee<\/em> club.\u201d<\/p>\n She stopped and spun to face him.\u00a0 \u201cHow?\u201d\u00a0 Her gaze turned suspicious.\u00a0 \u201cDid your cyber tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack shook his head.\u00a0 \u201cNo, Ma\u2019am.\u00a0 Using a cyber like that on you would be spying.\u00a0 I don\u2019t spy.\u00a0 I\u2019d much rather discover<\/em> who you are in person.\u201d\u00a0 He aimed his best charming smile at her.\u00a0 \u201cAnd you<\/em> are worth all the time, and all the pitfalls, and all the worry in the galaxy to discover.\u201d<\/p>\n She raised an eyebrow and slapped his arm playfully.\u00a0 \u201cYou, Sir, flatter too much,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n Jack waggled his eyebrows at her.\u00a0 \u201cOnly as much as you deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n She smiled and gave him a slow nod.\u00a0 She finally grabbed him by the arm and pulled him down the boardwalk.\u00a0 \u201cYou walk.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Ma\u2019am,\u201d he answered with a satisfied smile.<\/p>\n Samantha looked up at Jack with a thoughtful smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhatever do I do with you?\u201d she finally asked.<\/p>\n Jack shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cI guess that depends on what you want<\/em> to do with me.\u201d\u00a0 He gave her another charming smile.\u00a0 \u201cIs this a multiple choice question?\u201d<\/p>\n Samantha smiled, pulled his head down, and kissed him on the lips.<\/p>\n Jack pulled back, sucked in a deep breath, and smiled.\u00a0 \u201cOoh, I like that one.\u00a0 But I think I\u2019d be remiss if I answered before I\u2019d seen any of the other options.\u00a0 Don\u2019t you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d she answered with a flirtatious smile and pulled him further down the boardwalk.<\/p>\n \u201cSo what about that swim?\u201d he asked as he let her guide him to the end of the boardwalk.<\/p>\n She stopped and looked up at him, her lips twisted in amusement.\u00a0 \u201cMaybe.\u201d<\/p>\n Jack gave her his best charming smile.\u00a0 \u201cWhat, oh lady, do I have to do to make you agree?\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head and turned around to pull him back the way they\u2019d come.\u00a0 \u201cGuess,\u201d she finally said in an amused tone.<\/p>\n Jack felt a smile of confidence enter him and began to throw out option after option in his mind as he searched for just the right tactic.\u00a0 He was so<\/em> on for this game.<\/p>\n Many, many hours later, he strolled back onto the base that was his new home along with the rising Alpha Centauri A to see Charles waiting for him with a frown.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re late!\u201d he snapped.<\/p>\n Jack automatically went to attention, snapping his heals together.\u00a0 \u201cSir!\u00a0 I have ten minutes until I report for duty, sir!\u00a0 I am not late yet, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n Charles\u2019 frown deepened, his eyes running up and down Jack\u2019s dirty, soggy, and sand-spattered Dress Whites.\u00a0 \u201cWhat in Hell did you do to your uniform?\u201d he growled.<\/p>\n \u201cSir!\u00a0 I swam in the ocean, sir!\u201d Jack said, his voice full of pride.<\/p>\n Charles shook his head and growled.\u00a0 \u201cWhy in Hell would you do something so stupid with your Dress Whites?\u201d<\/p>\n Jack\u2019s face broke out in a grand smile.\u00a0 \u201cSir!\u00a0 There was a girl<\/em>, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n Charles lowered his head, brought a hand up to it, and shook his head, mumbling something that sounded like \u201cWhy do I bother?\u201d\u00a0 The man looked up, made a show of looking at a watch on his wrist and tapped it.\u00a0 \u201cNine minutes, Jester!\u00a0 Be bright and happy!\u00a0 We have a long<\/em> day today!\u201d he finished with a wicked gleam that said he was not going to give Jack any slack.<\/p>\n Jack smiled back.\u00a0 \u201cSir!\u00a0 What do I do with the remaining five minutes, sir!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGet out of here!\u201d Charles shouted<\/p>\n \u201cSir!\u00a0 Yes, sir!\u201d Jack shouted and broke into a run towards his barracks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Hello, my name is Jack.\u00a0 I\u2019ve had some incredible times on beaches.\u00a0 Parties that I will remember for the rest of my life.\u00a0 Concerts for more kinds of music than I knew existed.\u00a0 Bonfires, and singing, and dancing, and laughing.\u00a0[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-2304-forge-of-war-1stdraft","uentry","postonpage-1","odd","post-author-jack"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=656"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1840,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/656\/revisions\/1840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=656"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=656"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jackofharts.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=656"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}