Shay adjusted her red, white and blue sun visor to filter the glare from the bright Texas July sun from her eyes.
She enjoyed watching him in her world.
Her family and friends were so impressed with Rick.
She smiled to herself remembering what her eighty year old Uncle Gip had to say about him. "He is all right by me Shay, and one lucky dayum Canadian at that to have you on his arm!" he scarfed as he swatted at her rose bush with his walking cane. Followed by, " see if he can do something about that dayum rose bush Baby girl. It's growing all wawker jawed."
If Uncle Gip gave his stamp of approval, she was happy.
~o~
She was so excited that this was Rick's first "Texas 4th of July." They were surrounded with about sixty friends and relatives. All making sure that Rick had a taste of how we celebrate our Independence Day.
The smoker was billowing huge plumes of hickory scented smoke from its stack. The briskets, ribs and sausages inside would be delicious. Marinated in the beer as usual.
The cook new that Shay had to have her 'chicken titties.' It was a given all over her part of Texas, you have Shay Lyn over for a cook out, you better have her chicken breast on the grill or smoker. When she would arrive at a neighbors cook out even the little ones would shout out there welcome and add..."Shay...your chicken titty is cookin!" That was her acknowledgment of them being glad she made it.
And of course, some kids thought a hot dog was a food group and the only thing to eat. They were on the grill.
There was a huge container of foil wrapped corn on the cob, still in its husk, waiting to be roasted.
Huge onions covered in butter and wrapped in foil to bake slow on the grill.
An assortment of peppers that would make one think they were in 'Little Mexico'. And there would be the usual 'Pepper Eating Contest' to see who could eat the hottest pepper.
Shay always purchased the largest containers of Rolaids and placed them strategically around the tables.
A pot of beans over a gas cooker and you can count on them being spicy.
The refrigerator inside the cabana poolside was loaded with relish trays. All kinds of potato salads and vegetable dishes.
And the desserts. There was three electric freezers spinning homemade ice cream. Fresh peach, Vanilla and Banana.
Under an umbrella poolside was a neighbor named Walt hand turning an old wooden ice cream maker. Rock salt all over the ground around him. He always talked about the way things use to be and said he wanted all the kids to sample the difference in the hand turned homemade ice cream and the electric 'disgusting' kind. Shay always said the only reason he would do this every year was to keep an audience around him to listen to his stories. Anyone over the age of eighteen knew them all line by line.
Cobblers and puddings
Pies and cakes.
Out by a huge oak tree were picnic tables. Beside them was a galvanized troff about a foot deep and five foot across. It was loaded with watermelons covered in ice. This was a must. The watermelons supplied them with the equipment needed for the "Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest." It was an annual event.
And there was no Texas Bar~B~Q without a fully stocked bar. Frozen margarita machine churning away. A blender always being heard making another batch of Pina Colada's.
There were galvanized tubs in different areas loaded with an assortment of beer.
And through all of the good cooking going on, one could still smell the popcorn being popped in the popcorn machine on the patio area beside the snocone machine.
The snocone choice of the day was simple, a red, white and blue rainbow was all you could get.
~o~
The gameroom off the pool area was open so that everyone had access to a game of pool, dominoes, card games, Pac Man and electronic darts. Outside there was three horseshoe games going on at the same time. Shay always said that in Texas, the game of horseshoes was an art. And for some Texas men, the only taste of art they have ever experienced.
There was a washer game.
A volleyball set up was there that kept the toddlers being knocked over by parents out there trying to play. Shay would have the couples write down on a piece of paper what their individual bets were to their spouses or partner. That was always a lot of fun especially after the games turned into the males against the females which was always inevitable to happen. She loved telling the men what they just lost by allowing their 'macho' to consume them.
There was an inflatable castle. Huge thing for the kids to get inside and jump around. Some referred to it as the Moon Walk.
And the pool was always active.
The grand finale would be fireworks. Texas style.
~o~
And again, there he was standing in a group of men. A drink in his right hand and his left hand on his hip. She could feel his smile and he was not even smiling in her direction.
She sipped her margarita as she watched. He looked so good. His white muscle shirt accented his tan so well. She insisted he wear it. It had a red, white and blue shape of Texas on the front and read, " Been there, done her, and I'm stayin!". His blue jean shorts showed his great legs. Tanned and muscled. His butt sure knew how to wear 'em too she thought to herself. His sneakers and socks.
"Rick!...Your up man.. And it's up to you!" shouted Jack. " You can make us or break us here!"
Shay knew that remark too well. They needed a ringer to win. And it was up to her Canadian to pull these Texas boys through.
There was so much BS going on now around the game that no one could make out the heckling that was going on. She could see a smile on Rick and his team mates faces. They were up for the challenge. And Rick rose for it with his cute way. Her heart raced a little seeing the little boy in him for a brief moment.
He flashed a smile at Karla and was telling her something as he handed her his drink, then he took the three shoes that Roger handed him with a Texas size grin.
"Show 'em what ya Rick!" Karla reveled as she took a sip of his drink.
Shay slowly walked to where the group was. He caught her out of the corner of his eye.
She presented herself with such confidence. He was amazed at all that he has seen in her now after being unshackled from that computer they met on. She was not only the lover he had always fantasized about, she was warm, friendly, outgoing, tender yet a spit fire and had away about her that consumed him. He knew without a doubt long ago, Shay was his addiction.
She had a soft rose pink shade one piece swim suit on. The neck line plunged between her breast. It seemed to go on forever but it stopped a little past her navel. Her full rounded breast were daring her to make a quick move. It was a mind game they played with her when she wore this suit. They won sometimes. She had to tighten up the lacing on the front of the suit. She had a sheer scarf tied around her hips at an angle, it flowed past her knees, nipping at her calves as she walked. The scarf was a delicate floral pattern. A tropical type and it went along with her scent of Jasmine. And her gold 'S' charm navel ring, it spoke for itself as it would catch the sunlight and shoots rays of sparkle against her tight, tanned tummy. Her pink slip on sandals.
He pulled his shades down and looked at her. And then he playfully closed one eye. She could tell by the way his lips were formed, he was doing his usual..."pffftttt."
Shay inhaled deep causing her breast to almost win on coming out of her suit. She pulled at the knotted scarf resting on her right hip. She knew his eyes would follow her hands.
They were so in sync with each other. Shay slowly placed her index finger on her 'S' charm. Glancing back at him she knew that he understood.
She was his good luck charm. The hype was still going on around them. Rick positioned his shades and took his place. The side of Shay he loved so much began to surface. She loved to distract him and he knew there was a possibility she would do this. He decided not to look in her direction. Maybe.
