Melinda was a single mum whose life had been average β at least, as she defined
average
β until she met her new partner, Shane. Everyone around her had typical relationships where the man does his thing, the woman does hers, and the only interaction is part of daily routine. Shane brought a passion and excitement to her life; he wanted to share in every part of her life. She had never had a lover so intense.
Shane was an intellectual who had a high-pressure job with a lot of responsibility, who had just left his children and average relationship behind β for what he hoped was his soul mate. Melinda gave him a great deal of affection and intelligent conversation, had a classy confidence, and wanted him to be involved in every part of her life.
After a hot day of sitting in front of the rotating fan, at least four showers, a lot of bare shiny skin, and the twelfth ice block of the day; Shane suggested that they go to the beach at Secret Spot. She didn't have a clue what he was talking about, so he explained it was a place he and his surfing mates used to go to and have the whole section of the beach to themselves. A little excited β and a bit uneasy about going to some foreign place β but totally trusting of her love, she agreed to go.
On the drive there, they had all the windows down, and both had their arms hanging outside the car, as if to catch every bit of the cooler afternoon breeze. They pulled off the side of the road, and when Melinda looked out, it appeared to be just a huge amount of mangrove-like trees, with a small sand clearing close by. They locked the car and walked to the clearing, feeling the sand under their feet. Shane picked up a stick, telling Melinda it was for spider webs, and then they walked into the trees on a small path, arched over by branches just above their head.
She realised how secret this place really must be, if he anticipated having to clear away spider webs, and felt a sense of comfort from his going first to clear the webs in a protective way. She smiled slightly, though her inner smile was much wider, seeing him walking, his butt muscles going up and down with each step, and his toned back showing different muscles with each movement of the stick. She also had never been with a man taller than her, and she realised how big he was when he had to stoop slightly, while she was walking upright with still a bit of clearance from the trees. This path she was on seemed like a fairy tale to her β with sunlight filtering through the arched branches, and no end in sight β and that made the journey even more exciting.