I own a small hot rod shop in southern California. Not a big place, just 8 bays. I have two guys working for me and we have probably eight or nine cars in to work on at any given time. The work is really fun. I enjoy it immensely. Some times though the customers can drive you crazy. And the government, fuck them! Seems like every federal, state, county and local government agency is trying to reach into you pocket or put you out of business. And if there isn't enough already they seem to always be trying to come up with more shit to harass you with. Being a small business owner, especially in Southern California is a bitch sometimes. I still get up every morning and go to the shop. Like I said, I like what I do. I put in 10 to 12 hour days six days a week and often go in on Sunday for a few hours if there is something that I need to get done.
Once in a while I just have to do something to relax and relieve the stress. That's when I discovered walking on the beach. Not during the day but and dusk as the sun is sinking into the western horizon. It's beautiful, serene and relaxing. The sound of the surf, the warm wet sand under you feet, the gentle sea breeze, the smell of the salt air, it's almost over whelming. There is a small beach not far from my shop that few people frequent in the evenings. The beach was very busy and crowded in the daytime, but virtually no one was there in the evenings. No houses on the shore line, as it is a state park. I guess you are not supposed to be there after dark, they close the gates to the parking lot and lock them. I found a place at the north end of the beach on a side street where I can park and after crossing a rock outcropping gain access to the beach. There I can walk and meditate by myself. Once in a while I will pass someone else, but not often. I go there about 3 or 4 times a week. It really helps me, lets me think and get things sorted out.
After I had been visiting my beach as I began to think of it, for a few months, I noticed a lady a few years older than me also walking. Sometimes we would meet approaching each other sometimes walking the same direction but a little distance apart, not wanting to invade the others space.
I probably should describe my self to put thing into perspective. I am 62 years old, reasonably good physical condition and health. A few ladies have told me that I am fairly good-looking and well built. I'll let them judge that. I've also been told that I am an alpha male type and come across with a high degree of confidence and trust. Not overbearing but strong. Maybe that's a good thing. Either way that is who I am.
After this lady and I had passed each other a few times we began to nod and say hi or good evening to each other. Not a big deal, but it was nice. I did notice that when she acknowledged me she would also give me a nice smile. That was nice too. As time went on we became friendlier in our greetings.
I have got to tell you in all honesty that I do not read women well. I often don't notice some lady taking an interest in me until it is too late. Don't know why that is. Maybe it's that I don't see anything in myself that they would be interested in. Just have never been any good at picking that sort of thing up.
Anyway back to the evening walks. Thing went on this way for about a month until one day she stopped me, put out her hand and said "My name is Kate, what is yours?'
Stopped me in my tracks she did. Sheepishly I took her hand and gently shook it, "Terry my name is Terry, glad to meet you. I see you walking this beach often. Do you live close by?"
"Yes, I don't live far from here and I just love walking on this beach in the evening, it's so quite and serene here, so relaxing. I notice that you come here often also."
"Yes, I do," I replied. "Do you mind if I walk with you this evening?" I asked.
"Please, I would enjoy your company," She invited. We walked on up to the north end of the beach making small talk. I learned the she lived on the other side of Pacific Coast Highway about two blocks in a quaint two bedroom cottage that had belonged to her family for two generations. She was single, had been divorced over twenty years ago and had ended a 15 year relationship about three years ago. She still worked, because she liked to and was pretty much content with her life.
When we reached the end of the beach, I told her that it was time for me to head home and that I would see her again in a couple of days on the beach. She said that that would be nice and hoped to see me then. I turned to cross the rock outcropping to get to my truck when she asked if that was where I usually parked. I told her that it was and she mentioned that that was a no parking zone, in fact it was a tow away zone and she was surprised that my truck had not been towed by now. You see, there is the damn government screwing things up again. She then invited me to park in front of her house. Parking was ok there and she wouldn't mind. I thanked her and took her address and decided that I would do that. I then left and she started back toward her house, which was at the opposite south end of the beach. As I drove away I thought, you big dummy, you could have offered her a ride home. It would have only taken you a few minutes and wasn't that far out of your way. I told you I was a little slow on the uptake sometimes.
Two days later I returned to the beach in the evening. I found Kate's address and parked in front of her house. Locked up my truck and headed down the street the two blocks to the beach. As I reached the beach I noticed Kate sitting on one of the picnic table benches at the end of the beach.
"Good evening, would you like to accompany me for a walk on the beach this beautiful evening?" I asked her.
She jumped up and replied, "Yes, You good looking man, I would like that very much."
We started off up the beach at a very leisurely pace and began talking about nothing, just talking and walking together.
I began to notice Kate as a physical person. She was fairly tall, maybe 5'8" to my 5'10", slim, but with a good figure. She usually wore a blouse and a full skirt. It was a little hard to tell how good her figure was dressed this way. I could tell that she had nicely shaped breasts and a pretty face and a very infectious smile. She had short grayish hair that framed the delicate features of her face. Her eyes and smile seemed to light up when she spoke to me. We walked up the beach and back, which took about an hour. We made small talk and it was very pleasant being with her. As we headed back across PCH to my truck and her house, she invited me in for coffee. I accepted and we had coffee and talked for another half an hour. I then excused myself, as I had to get home. On the drive home I thought, what an enjoyable evening. I really appreciated her company.
I returned to the beach two days later, parked my truck in front of Kate's house and walked down to the beach. There she was sitting on the bench of the picnic table.
"Waiting for some one?" I asked with a smirk.
"Yes, But you will do for now," she replied and got off the bench and joined me. By the time we reached the north end of the beach the sun was just beginning to set.
Would you like to sit on this rock outcropping an watch the sun set?"
"Yes, that would be nice," was her response sitting down next to me.
We sat there next to each other, close but not touching and watched the sun set. I could feel the heat of her body and it felt good to be next to her. When the sun had set and darkness was beginning to overcome us we got up and started back down the beach. After we had walked a short distance she reached over and took my hand in hers. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, which she returned. Small things but carry so much meaning sometimes. We walked hand in hand down the beach. We parted at my truck and she went in and I drove off. I was beginning to really like this lady and lady she was. Ok, so I was finally figuring out that she might like me too. That was good, but I decided that I was not going to rush this, as I didn't want to scare her off. Just take it slow and easy.