It is Sunday evening and I find myself on vacation in Southern California ready to spend a quiet evening walking the beach watching the sunset. The sky is clear and a full moon is on the calendar. I am expecting to experience the best part of my vacation tonight, just me, alone, watching the waves and smelling the fresh salt air.
I leave my rented beach house in my two-piece bikini and notice a crowd gathering on the shoreline apparently to watch the sunset. There is a line of large sailboats jockeying for position in the bay for the same show. One boat stands out as the largest and most impressive, with sails towering over the rest and the colors the colors are brilliant. I am drawn to this particular boat because of the colors of the sails. The boat itself is that standard high glossy finish of white but even the white seems to have a Mother of Pearl sheen to it.
I see the lone sailor sitting on the deck of his boat in a deck chair with a can of something cold to drink relaxed and enjoying what is left of the sun and the breeze. The sunsets here are legendary and this is the time of the year that the sun sets right in the bay. Cars have lined the roadway along the coastal highway. People have brought their ice chest with cold drinks, lawn chairs, pets and Frisbees. You notice that there are no children among this group but this is a college town and this doesn't surprise you much. You were a bit surprised to find that the local nude beach was only a mile from your beach house and wonder why THAT isn't mentioned in the brochure anywhere.
As you begin to jog the beach you see a flash or light from the big sailboat and it catches your eye. The lone sailor is standing with a pair of binoculars looking in your direction. It isn't that far to his boat and you wonder why he needs the field glasses. It becomes obvious that he is looking at you he waves to get your attention. You stop and decide to walk into the water a short ways to see what he wants as you get closer you hear him invite you to join him on the boat to watch the sunset. The colors have captivated you and it never occurs to you that you should show reserve. You say "Sure" and swim out to his boat. As you mount the ladder at the rear of the boat you read the boat's name Man in a Mask. You ask him about the strange name he laughs and calls it a tax deduction. You introduce yourself and he shakes your hand and says his name is Bradley he offers you a beer and has an extra chair on the deck for you. You are in position to see the sunset on your left and the beach on the right. The people seem within a stone's throw. It is rather interesting to be so close yet seeming to have privacy. You and Bradley get to know each other you are totally at ease and enjoying his jokes and nice smile the beer might be helping.