Excerpt
CHAPTER 20
THE MEETING
Katherine stands and unwraps her cotton sarong. The breeze caresses her body. Naked as a baby, she dives into the pool. The cool water refreshes her body. She floats lazily on her back, enjoying her nakedness.
“What a heathen I’ve become in such a short time.”
A loud splash startles her. She turns toward the sound, shocked for a moment. As she turns, she sees a man, buck-naked, happily paddling around the pool. Slowly, he swims toward the end of the pool where she is standing. At first, he does not see her behind the bushes. Suddenly, he notices her. His eyes open wide and he utters, “Oh! Hello!”
They both stand up in shock, and a moment later they become aware of their lack of clothing and quickly dip down into the water. They try to cover themselves, but end up, two naked people, looking into each other’s eyes, trying not to look where they should not.
‘Hello again. I guess that is the proper thing to say. Right?” Says the man, decidedly British.
“Hello, too!” The image of Adam and Eve meeting in the Garden of Eden suddenly appears in Katherine’s mind. Two naked people, lots of greenery, but no apples or fig leaves.
“Sorry, I didn’t realize you were in the pool. I came home early and I was so hot, that I decided to cool off before I unpacked. I...never thought,” he apologizes.
By now, Katherine is aware that this is her landlord.
“Tony told me you’d be gone for two more days.” She, too, apologizes. “Excuse me; I’ll get my clothes now. She swims to the end of the pool, climbs out, and puts on her wrap, turning away so he can reach for his towel.
Once they are properly attired, they relax. Jonathan laughs. “This may be the perfect way to meet. At least we have nothing to hide now.” Katherine can barely control her laughter. This man is funny and puts her at ease. He says, “Let’s go inside and have a cool drink. There is always something in the fridge. By the way, my name is Jonathan, and yours?”
“Katherine.” she replies.
“Ahh, such a lovely name.”
She hears his lovely accent, his deep sexy voice, and realizes it is slightly familiar. When he returns with the drinks, she looks closely at him. It begins to dawn on her. Could this be the man she met on the train to Wales? He looks different, but he does have those penetrating green eyes. She has never forgotten those eyes. She remembers on the train, when he took off his cap, his hair was receding slightly; just like this man. Can it be?
Jonathan set down the drinks and hands one to her. He turns on the ceiling fan; they sit facing each other. For a moment, he stares at her. He shakes his head and leans closer. His green eyes open wide.
“I don’t believe it! Is it actually you? Didn’t we meet on the train in Wales last year?”
“Small world, isn’t it?” She hesitates. “Sorry to be so trite. I am astounded, too.”
“Oh my God, it worked! It worked!” he shouts.
“What are you talking about?” she asks.
“I prayed for you to come to me, and here you are. It happened so quickly. I was almost ready to give up everything.” Jonathan rubs his head. “You’ll never believe me, I’m sure.”
“What do you mean?” she asks, totally puzzled.
“You see, I prayed for you, I needed you so I could write. I needed you to show up and inspire me. I have had writer’s block. You see, I never imagined you would actually show up. I only hoped you would come back into my mind. I had no idea that prayer could be so powerful.” He is very happy and very amazed.
She is still confused. “What do you mean?”
“Of course, you wouldn’t have any way to know what happened after I left the train in Wales. All I could think of was you. You were imprinted on my brain. I‘d found the hero of my book. You were perfect. I could not wait to jot down my impressions of you that night. I did not want to forget anything about you, and how you made me feel. You awakened something inside of me. Something I never knew existed. It was as if lightning had struck in an instant. Sadly, after I got settled here, and had time to write, you began to slip away. I began to have writer’s block.”
Katherine listens intently.
“A few weeks ago, I went to pray at the biggest Buddha in Thailand. I threw myself down at the Buddha’s feet and prayed for “my woman, my muse” to return, to show up, so I could keep on writing. I have never done anything like that before but here you are! Praise Buddha, my offerings will increase. I will never doubt the power of prayer again.”
Katherine is stunned.
“I never believed you would arrive in person.”
She begins to stiffen, and wonders just what it is that he expects from her.
Sensing her concern, he begins to clarify what he has said. “Don’t worry; I need to use you as inspiration. I do not expect any response from you. Please relax. I know it must sound strange, a man you do not know, telling you this. Actually, I am quite harmless.”
Katherine sits back and begins to relax. She realizes that he is actually very sweet. She studies the tall lanky man; his dark hair is turning to gray. His nose is prominent; the lines of his mouth stern, but his lips are generous. The decisive factor is his green eyes. His eyes penetrated her the first time they met; they are beginning to do so again. She pulls herself together and sips her drink.
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