Dear reader: this is a contest entry, so don't forget to vote at the end of the story. My preferred vote is "5". Thanks for your attention!
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It was an unexplored neighborhood of Eagle Rock, and although the streets were quiet and picturesque, none of them went through. Wayne had to decide whether jog to the left or to the right each time a street ended, and at this point he was no longer certain whether he was even pointed in the direction of the Ralph's market, which was the destination he had chosen when he mounted his bicycle and headed out into the cool, overcast morning.
Wayne lived in the adjacent town, and he was riding mainly to keep his 60-year body from getting creaky and uncooperative. He liked to cross over into Eagle Rock or some of the other towns, just to see some new sights as he rode. But, there was always a slight risk of losing one's bearings, which made it more of an adventure than an exercise routine.
He was headed down a narrow, bumpy alley, lined with some nice jacaranda trees in full purple. There was a girl strolling along to the left, and Wayne decided he would ask her for directions. He slowed his bike to a halt alongside her and greeted her.
She had an engaging smile. She was probably in her 20s and looked like she could be part Samoan, with long, thick, wiry black hair, a dark complexion, and sturdy, thick limbs. "Am I anywhere near the Ralph's Market?" Wayne asked.
"Very near, actually," she replied, "but these streets wander all over and don't go directly there. I can show you a short-cut, though."
"That would be great."
"Are you new in this neighborhood?"
"No, I actually live in Glendale. But I take my bike rides into other towns to see new things."
"That's a nice bike," the girl said, eyeing Wayne's hybrid bicycle. Wayne had fixed it up with various accoutrements, a tool bag under the seat, a mini-pump attached to the frame, and so on.
"Thanks," he replied. "Do you ride?"
"I used to, back home in Hawaii. Since I got here, I haven't gotten around to buying a bike. Say, would you like a cup of coffee?"
"Sure, why not. Where do you want to get one?"
"Right here," she said, gesturing at a quaint little house under one of the jacarandas. "I live here."
"Oh, OK. Do you think I need to lock my bike?"
"You can actually put it inside if you want. There's a space right by the door." She unlocked the door, and held it while he maneuvered his bike inside. "I'll make some coffee -- make yourself at home."
Wayne lowered his lanky frame onto the small burgundy-colored couch and surveyed the room. The first thing that caught his eye was a guitar stand with an old Telecaster. He mentally awarded the young lady 100 coolness points for this. It was plugged into a small apartment-sized amplifier. There was a turquoise plush armchair opposite the couch. The room was full of a wide variety of houseplants that looked well cared-for. The window looked out on a patio with more healthy plants. On the wall, next to the door into the kitchen, was a large art print, the DΓΌrer rhinocerous.
He heard the gurgling of a coffee maker, and a few minutes later the girl emerged with two cups of coffee. "Do you take anything in it?" she asked.
"Nope. I like to taste the coffee," Wayne replied.
She smiled. "Me too." She deposited his cup on a small coffee table in front of the couch, and went over to sit in the armchair.
"I'm Wayne, by the way."
"Alonna." She settled back in her chair and took a long sip of her coffee.
Wayne smiled at her and stole an admiring glance. Alonna had dark, almost black eyes. She looked young and innocent, young enough to be his granddaughter if he had one. Her forest green dress was short and riding up her thick thighs. She wore flip-flops and her feet were large, but shapely. "I like your taste in guitars, Alonna."
"Thank you! I'm a songwriter."
"Really! Do you do it professionally?"
Alonna sighed. "Well, you know. I came to L.A. six months ago, hoping to get into the business. So far I have succeeded in becoming a waitress." She smiled ironically.
"I'm sure the competition is fierce here."
"I guess so." Alonna took another sip. "How about you, Wayne? What do you do?"
"I'm semi-retired. I used to be an editor for some local magazines. I write a little fiction."
Alonna smiled again a slouched a bit in her chair, giving Wayne a probably unintentional glimpse of her white cotton panties. Her thighs were really something -- so big and thick and smooth.
Wayne continued, "What sort of songwriting do you do?"
One of Alonna's eyebrows went up as she considered her answer. "I dunno. Indy rock? Or maybe it's funk. I don't really understand those different genres. I listen to some of everything."
"Do you perform in public?"
"I've been thinking about it. I've only played for my family and my boyfriend back home."
Wayne finished his coffee and set the empty cup on the table. "Is your boyfriend going to join you out here?"
"Nah." Alonna collected her thoughts, then added, "We're pretty much over." Then, abruptly, "Do you have a girlfriend, Wayne?"
Wayne replied sardonically, "No, I have a wife. I wish I had a girlfriend." Then he silently rebuked himself for saying something improper.