LOVE ME GOOD WHILE YOU CAN (Surprise Party: Part 6)
Mel's great-grandparents were left homeless by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. As with many of the victims, they took refuge in boats sheltered by Richardson's Bay. The family moved into a tug they used for fishing and eventually, converted it to a houseboat.
Eventually his family got back on their feet by getting out the fishing business and into a ferry business that transported trains and cars. But with the advent of the Golden Gate Bridge and others, their business deteriorated and forced them to become part of the World War II shipbuilding boom. By the time Mel came along, shipbuilding, like the ferries, was history; the community had become a picturesque and quaint retreat for artists.
Since he'd been a little kid, Mel hung around his grandparents houseboat. Several of the artists became mentors and encouraged his interest in painting. That led him to study art and become a teacher with paintings in several well known galleries.
Over the years, he taught at various colleges around the country, but ever since his junior year at Stanford, no matter where his work took him, his grand-parents' houseboat was where he called home.
Generation by generation, the houseboat had ascended up the family tree. When Grandpa died, Grandma signed the houseboat over to Mel who promised he'd keep it always. And that's what prompted him to move back and teach part time; it was also the impetus to follow his life time dream of opening an Italian restaurant near the houseboat community.
The restaurant at first was a success. But now it was in trouble. He'd made a mistake in trusting its management to others while he came back to Harbor Cove to help his daughter. He prayed now he could save it and that God would give him the strength to do so.
According to local folklore, the waters of Sausalito were blessed after the earthquake and provide its citizens added strength to persevere in times of need. Whether true or not, his boat had given Mel strength and been his friend; it had helped him through tough times--the death of his wife and near bankruptcy.
Now he hoped it'd help Roxy get past her grief over Daddy Mac and Bubba--bring joy into her life--and his as well.
He couldn't help but wonder if she was the answer to his prayers and he, hers. If she helped him turn the restaurant around, he had in the back of his mind, he'd make her a partner. And if he got real lucky and she fell in love with him, he'd make her a partner in marriage.
* * * * * * *
He hadn't mentioned the houseboat to Roxy. He wanted to surprise her, and to that end, had spruced it up and stocked the galley's larder with victuals and wine. He'd even transplanted bright red, purple and yellow tropical plants into the flower boxes on the deck.
All week long, he pictured her standing before him, surveying it all and looking happy. It warmed him all over to think of it.
If she flew in as planned, they'd meet for dinner, he'd give her tour of the the boat, the key, and the leash for Baby, the Golden Retriever he'd raised from a pup, and trained as a guard dog. She would keep Roxy safe and be good company throughout the summer.
They'd had an unseasonal storm the night before. He'd wanted to check it out, but ran out of time. Finally he took a break and called his neighbor. "Don't worry Mel. There was no damage and Baby's fed and happy. Took her and Whitey for a walk and let them play on the boardwalk."
A few minutes later, Mel's daughter Betsy called from Harbor Cove.
"Dad, Roxy's just left from Chicago's O'Hare and will arrive at San Francisco International this afternoon. She said to tell you NOT to pick her up. She's got business downtown. But she still wants to meet you for dinner around eight--at the place you told her about--the one down by the ferry."
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dressed in stylish nautical whites, Mel stole glances of himself in the mirror over the bar. He hoped he look younger than his years and that his visit to hair stylist, dermatologist and dentist had paid off.
He'd spent fifteen-hundred, on a new hair cut, a manicure, botox,
teeth whitening, and a new wardrobe. Probably the best money he'd spent in years from the way it made him feel.
He tried to relax, as he nursed his scotch and water, but when Roxy walked in at seven-fifty-five, it rocked his world.
She was mesmerizing in her white strapless cocktail dress and matching stilettos. Her straight blond hair was held back on one side by a gardenia. It brushed across the middle of her back as she ran to him.
"Oh, Mel!" she burst out giving him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, "I'm so happy to see you. I had forgotten how handsome you are."
"Roxy," he told her breathlessly, "You. . . you . . . look beautiful."
* * * * * * * * *
Mel's neighbor managed the club and owed him favors which got them promptly seated at the best table in the house. It was right next to the dance floor and a large expanse of windows with a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay. Within minutes they'd been served appetizers and wine and were dancing.
"Roxy, I have the most beautiful dance partner on the floor, every man in the room is in love with you, and every woman wants to be you."
"Oh Mel, thank you, but you flatter me. The men don't know me, and the women only want to be me, so they can be dancing with you."
They were in heaven. United at last, after eight months. The night couldn't be better.
* * * * * * *
After their first course, they went out for another dance. Halfway through, Roxy could have sworn the dance floor moved beneath her feet. At first she thought it was the combination of jet lag and wine on an empty stomach, but when she heard the crystal chandeliers tinkling, she looked up, and saw them swinging. Within seconds, lights flickered and the entire room was swaying. What began as a low rumble intensified to thunderous roll. Grabbing Mel for support, she looked past his shoulder and saw the singer on stage throw up her hands and scream. "Earthquake!"
Mel dove beneath their table taking Roxy with him. Reaching up under the tablecloth, he jerked a nearby table down to the floor next to them for further protection just as the lights went out. People cried out in the darkness and there was mass confusion. Clips right out of Titanic flashed before Roxy's mind as they were tossed side to side and the room creaked and groaned.
Peeking out from under the table, she saw reflected in the bar mirrors overhead, giant waves sweeping towards the large expanse of windows. "Oh my God," she cried throwing her arms around Mel. Fighting back the tears, she tried to think. Then as fast as it had all begun, the tremors and noise stopped. The exit signs came on and moans of relief could be heard throughout the room.
"Roxy, the generator's kicked in, but we need to stay put, we can't know what's outside, or if there'll be an aftershock worse than this--if there's a rush for the door--we don't want to get caught in that."
"What if the ceiling falls in on us?"
"I won't let it," he said trying to reassure her with a statement that defied logic.
"You won't let it?" she said, her voice rising in disbelief.
"Stay calm," he told her, pulling her backside tight to his groin in a spooning position. Silently they listened as guests rushed from the room. Then once again, the room plunged into darkness. Chaos spread among remaining guests--they clamored in confusion--a cupboard tipped over on top of Mel and Roxy's tables and jolted them.
"We can't just lie here," she said fighting to break free from his hold.
Trying to inject humor to distract her, he nuzzled the back of her neck and growled, "Although this is not the time or place, If you keep struggling against me like that, you're going to get laid."
Suddenly she became conscious of his hardness against her backside. Without thinking, she instinctively thrust her hips backwards into him.
Returning the thrust his lips brushed against her ears and slid down the back of her neck as he fondled her firm round breasts and let them fill his hands . . . her nips grew hard and an aching wild fire exploded between her legs . . . losing all control she rolled over and unbuttoned his fly releasing his thick hard cock. "I want to get laid," she murmured stroking it . . . "I want to feel you in me right now . . . I want you to love me good while you can."
*******************************
To Be Continued: Part 7
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Submitted by:
Madison
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