Parts per Million
The surfer carried his board onto the beach and buried its tail into the soft sand so that it stood upright. I was thankful that he was in the process of putting on a pair of long shorts as I approached. That would make our introductions less awkward.
"Hi, my name's Stella. I wanted to ask you something." I smiled pleasantly and used a sweet friendly non-confrontational tone.
"Hello, Stella, nice to meet you. I'm Ryan. Beautiful day, isn't it? What would you like to ask?" He had a friendly smile, in which the right corner of his mouth rose slightly higher than the other.
I thought he was very sexy and natural. He could also speak in more than a few simple grunts, so we were off to a good start. "Do you see my friend down the beach? She's been coming here for years." I pointed in her direction; Quinn looked down as if she was about to hide her head in the sand. Still she obeyed my command not to move.
"Oh, sure. I recognize her. I've seen her around. She's very cute."
So far, so good. "Do you believe in fate?"
"I've never really put much thought into it, but I guess it can happen. What about you?"
I shook my head. "Not at all. I'm married, so I'm asking for my friend, who didn't put me up to this. Another question that you can answer yes or no. Are you married, gay, in a committed relationship, not interested or just think this situation is too weird?"
He listened and processed my inquiry. "Ah, no to all of that." His smile grew.
"OK. Back to fate. Fate might have the two of you meet and see if you'd hit it off. It also might have the two of you alone on the beach until we all grow old. Would you be interested in meeting her and seeing if you'd want to take things from there? No guarantees of anything else, just a meeting."
Ryan laughed aloud. "Sure, I'd like to meet your friend."
I motioned him along with me and we walked toward Quinn. She looked embarrassed and continued to sit there in the nude.
"Have you ever considered you might be a part of fate? It somehow chose you for this?"
"I'm just a busybody. I get enough philosophy for my friend. She has a theory behind everything."
We approached, and Quinn stood. I could see how uncomfortable she was. She quickly pulled on her shorts and tee.
"This is Ryan." I left the rest up to them.
He started the conversation. "I'm pleased to finally get an opportunity to talk to you. Stella wanted us to meet, but didn't give me your name."
I wanted her to say something. She looked at me nervously. She'd never heard my real name before. For a woman who dealt with dozens of men each week, this was something she seemed for want of a better term, shy about.
At last, she spoke. "Hi, I'm Miriam. This is awkward, isn't it?"
"It is at that. But, fate or Stella seems to want to put us in touch today. Who am I to try to argue with either of them?"
My eyes must have sparkled. He could not only speak, but he had a sense of humor.
"So, how do you manage to get to the beach so often during the day? Do you work nights?" Quinn was if nothing, direct and to the point.
"I'm an emergency-room physician. Thoracic surgery, mostly. I work the night shifts. I come here because it keeps me sane to forget the day to day pressures."
I beamed. Busboy, ha. Quinn began to ignore me.
"I'm in real estate investment, among other business interests." I could see she was impressed by what I dragged back. I began a brief walk along the shore. They could handle their own fate now.
By the time Quinn and I left the beach, her attitude had changed. She seemed like the cat that had swallowed the cannery, especially when I tried to pump her for information.
"Do you think you'll go out with Ryan?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Did he get your phone number or did you get his?"
"We may talk at some point."
"I didn't know your real name was Miriam. I'll always think of you as Quinn."
"I didn't know you're a Stella. I'll never think of you now as anything else."
"You told him you're in real estate?"
"I am. I invested heavily in rental property, especially during the market crash. I own well over a million dollars' worth in condos I lease out."