It was a hot, August day in 1979 when I first saw her. We had just finished surfing at C Street in Ventura, and we were headed home. I was walking along with my best friend Tom, on the boardwalk in front of the Holiday Inn. We weaved our way through the crowd carrying our surfboards, following closely behind two bikini clad girls, and taking no opportunity to pass. Have you ever seen someone from behind, and then were disappointed when you saw them from the front? Well, I assure you, this wasn't the case here.
I was drawn to the shorter one on the right, who was wearing a skimpy yellow bikini that barely covered those perfect, rounded butt cheeks. Tom nudged me and grinned, to indicate he was on the same page. They were both slim and shapely, and had all the right curves in all the right places. I visually followed the crease of her spine up her well-tanned back, to her smooth-toned shoulders. She was laughing with her friend, and oblivious to the two lurking strangers in tow. Her long, sun-bleached blond hair cascaded down her back and flipped from side-to-side as she talked and laughed with her friend. I was blinded to all but that yellow polka-dot bikini swaying in front of me.
Saturday was always the most crowded day of the week on the boardwalk. As we maneuvered our way through this mass of humanity, a skate-boarder attempted to pass us from behind and clipped the skag on my surfboard. That sent him hurling forward toward the girls. They all went sprawling to the concrete. Not missing the opportunity, I dropped my board and rushed to their assistance. The kid was apologizing profusely. I pushed him out of the way.
"Hey dude!" the kid whined.
"Beat it, doofus!" I replied, glaring menacingly at him as I reached out to help up this dream girl.
He grabbed his skateboard and took off down the boardwalk, flipping me off as he went - probably headed for his next victim.
"Don't be so hard on him. It was just an accident," she said, taking my hand, looking up at me as I pulled her to her feet.
As she stood, I was speechless. She was even more gorgeous from the front. Her deep-blue eyes drew me in, and her smile was radiant. The yellow bikini top was sparsely covering two of the most magnificent breasts I have ever cast my eyes upon.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" she teased, with a coy, confident grin, pulling at her straps and re-positioning her top.
"I... I'm sorry that..." I stammered.
"Hey! There's another girl on her ass here who could use a hand too," her friend said, extending her hand.
"Oh, sorry!" I replied, apologetically, helping her to her feet.
"It's okay. I am used to being invisible when I am around Miss Hottie. I'm Jan, and you will be interested to know this is Chrissy."
"Hey, glad to meet you both. I'm Billy, and this is Tom. Are you okay?"
They looked at each other and Chrissy replied, "Yeah, I think we'll survive. In fact, I'm better off than your surfboard."
I picked up my board and examined it. It had about a two-inch ding on the rail from where I dropped it on the concrete.
"It's okay, a little duct tape and it will be good to go. Besides, it's new, and needed to be christened."
"Hey, we were just on our way to get an ice cream cone. Would you let us buy you guys one for all your trouble?" Jan asked, looking at Tom with a smile.
"No!" I replied, and then added, "We will buy!"
Tom frowned at me and pulled me to the side. He whispered, "Are you nuts? I've only got a buck and change."
Looking in my waterproof wallet, I had even less.
"I've got an idea," I said.
"Uh-oh. Your ideas always seem to involve getting me in a shit-load of trouble," Tom replied, sarcastically.
I then suggested to the girls, "If you'll all give me the flavors of your cones, I'll go pick them up at Baskin-Robbins. I worked there this summer. I know the manager."
"Yeah, you know the manager, alright. Isn't she the one that shit-canned you for giving away free cones to your friends?" Tom chuckled. The girls laughed.
"Hey, it was just a big misunderstanding. I've still got credit there," I replied, punching Tom's shoulder with a smack.
"Looking up and grinning, Chrissy said, "Rocky Road. Two scoops on a waffle cone."
"Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough on a sugar cone, double-dip, please," Jan added, adjusting her bikini.
As I entered the shop, I thought, "Fuck! Annette is still manager."
She saw me come in and said loudly, "You've got a lot of nerve coming in here, Billy!" The shop was full, and all heads turned.
"I just came in to beg your forgiveness, Annie. You know I still love ya," I replied, grinning my biggest smile.
"It won't work, Billy. I'm immune to your lame charm. Don't waste it on me," she glared, stepping out from behind the counter.
"Actually, I just came in to settle up," I said, sliding my fingers softly down her arm.
She pulled her arm away and replied, "Settle up? Settle up what?" she said, with a raised voice.
"Well, I didn't get my last paycheck, and thought we might come to terms."
"Terms?...Terms? Here are your terms. Get the fuck out of here or I'll call the cops!" she shouted. Everyone in the room stopped what they were doing and gave her their full, undivided attention.
"Annie, calm down. I was just talking about the four hours I'm still owed. I'm not asking for money, just four cones and we're even. Come on, I'm sorry for the mishap, and I'm sorry I missed our date. I was kinda preoccupied, and the time got away from me. I promise I'll make it up to you." I begged.
"Your empty apology means nothing to me, Billy. You're not gonna smooth talk your way outta this one," she stated, resolutely folding her arms across her chest.
I dropped down on one knee, took her hand, and begged,"Pleeeease Annie! I promise I'll make it up to you."
The shop was filled with people laughing, as this whole scenario played out. All the patrons were fully engaged in this scene, and I could see Tom and the girls through the window, cracking up.
An older woman, standing in the growing line with her grand-kids, impatiently said, "Give the boy a break so we can get our orders!"
"Billy, get up! You're embarrassing me... Okay, four cones and we're even, but you've gotta help me clear this line."
I picked an apron off the hook and gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek. The customers applauded as I went over behind the counter and said, "Okay, who's next in line?"
It was about fifteen minutes later when I came out of the shop with one of those cardboard carry-alls and four cones. They were all sitting at an umbrella table, talking. The two girls were sitting together across from Tom. I pulled up a chair opposite Chrissy.
"Okay, who's got the rocky-road on waffle? I added some sprinkles and a cherry."
"Why, thank you, kind sir," Chrissy grinned. Her blue eyes were enchanting, as she reached out, taking her cone.
I was transfixed by her lovely face. She had to have the most kissable mouth and prettiest smile I had ever seen. As she bent forward to retrieve her cone, those magnificent breasts naturally jiggled in their yellow confinement. I don't know if there is such a thing as love at first sight, but that moment was etched in my mind forever.
"Earth to Billy! There are some other hungry people here too," Jan exclaimed. I just pushed the tray forward, never breaking eye contact with my blond goddess.
We talked and laughed for hours, until the sun was getting low in the west. I discovered that Chrissy and Jan went to a private high school, whereas Tom and I went to the local public high school. Chrissy's dad was some big-wig at Proctor and Gamble, and they lived in a gated community at the beach.
I, of course, asked her out. She didn't say no, but she said her dad would not let her go on unsupervised dates until she was eighteen and that was in a week. I had turned eighteen just last month.
Unsupervised dates? What the hell does that mean? Anyway, I offered them a ride home, but Chrissy said they had their own car. We walked them down the winding pathway to the parking lot, while holding hands.
There were just a few cars left in the lot. Chrissy pointed at one, saying, "That's mine."
Her car was a brand new Mustang convertible, still with dealer tags. It was a bright candy-apple red, with black pony leather upholstery. Coincidentally, it was parked right next to mine, which was also a Mustang. However, mine was a '65, which meant it was a rust bucket, painted metallic blue and primer gray, with the front bumper missing and the passenger door wired shut.
"And this is mine, such as it is. It's more like a classic," I replied, putting my board on the roof-rack and strapping it down. Tom followed suit.
Standing in front of Chrissy's car, we all talked, but Tom and Jan wasted no time getting into a lip-lock.
"Nice ride," I said to Chrissy, finding it hard to not notice my friend making out a few feet away. I was wanting to kiss her more than I ever wanted to kiss someone in my life.
"Yeah, my dad bought it for me when I received my scholarship to Stanford. I see you've got a Mustang too," she said, staring at my car.
"Well... Yeah, but like I said, It's a work in progress," I replied, securing the last straps on my surfboard. Then, with Jan and Tom hard to ignore, I mustered up my courage, and taking her by the hands, I asked, "May I kiss you?"
"I don't kiss boys I just met," she said softly, but turned her face up and closed her eyes.
I bent over and put my hands on her shoulders, and slowly lowered my lips to hers and they ever so softly touched. It was like no kiss I have ever experienced before. Her lips were wet and inviting. I could feel her breath on mine. This kiss was more than a kiss; it was a promise - a promise of more kisses to come. I pulled her to me, and she put her hand behind my head. The feel of her lush body pressing into mine brought a shiver throughout my entire body. This is the time in the movies that the skyrockets go off, and the orchestra plays.
"Wow!" Chrissy panted, as we broke our kiss. I just pulled her in for another one, even more sensual than the first. This time, she slightly opened her mouth, and our tongues touched, ever so lightly. Our mostly naked skin pressed together, and her magnificent breasts pushed against my chest. We kissed for a couple minutes, that seemed like hours, and finally broke it off.
"Chrissy, I have to see you again!" I begged.
"Yes, I want you to, but you have to talk with my dad, and he's a hard nut to crack." The serious look on her face made it seem like an impossible task. I had not yet met him, and was already intimidated.
"Hey guys, we have to get rolling. I'm meeting my mom at the mall in fifteen minutes," Jan said reluctantly, as she slipped on her clothes over her bikini.
"Can we get your numbers?" I asked.
"Sure," Chrissy said, taking an indelible marker out of her purse that was sitting on the driver's seat. She gripped me by the wrist, and wrote it on my arm, with a big grin on her face.
"Give me yours too, Billy."
I took her marker and paused a moment, looking at where I was going to write it. I took her arm, but she jerked it away. "No way! Here, write it on this," she said, handing me a paper napkin.
We watched, waving at our new friends as they drove away in a roar. Tom looked at me smugly, without saying a word. I just smiled. We both knew this was a good day.
~oOo~
