C A Gleason [Gleason - Molters

Sunlight slowly snakedits way over the ocean to the beach where Jonah had passed out, and he opened hiseyes to its warmth. It took Jonah a few seconds to realize where he was. Hed forgottenhow he got there, but someone had wanted him to be warm. He woke up in a sleepingbag and had a blanket over that. The haze of the night before slowly cleared fromhis mind.

Hed been at a party, atypical summer night in California. Too much tequila equaled waking up on the beach.He was sore, the kind of achiness he felt when hed drunk too much and gotten intoa fight. He remembered now. It wasnt last night. It was two nights ago. A drunkenidiot had tossed his dirty inch of beer on a girl Jonah used to date. Jonah warnedhim that hed been drinking too much. He was right, because the guy made the mistakeof challenging him, cursing as he did, so Jonah gave him a beating after he gothim to the ground. It was probably why he was sore; it took a lot of sudden strengthto immobilize someone. Jonah couldnt remember if the guy had hit him with any punches.Jonah didnt think he had.

He probably wouldnt havefought so quickly if he were sober. Drinking was Jonahs way of staying off drugs,and a necessary evil. Only drugs get you kicked out of the military. You pay yourtaxes, bust your ass, and put your life on the line in a war for a government thatdoesnt give a shit about you, but you cant get high during downtime? It nevermade any sense to him.

Jonah threw the blanketoff himself and unzipped his sleeping bag. It wasnt too cold, but it was cold enoughfor him to get goose bumps and dress in a hurry. Summer was almost over. Jonah wonderedif his friends would be down for a trip. He was betting they would. The party scenewas getting old.

Eric would be in; he was sureabout that. He wanted Danielle to go. Hed been attracted to her since he and Sharonhad gotten married. If he could convince Danielle to go, then Sharon would too.They were practically connected at the hip. His and Sharons divorce had been finalfor a few years now, but theyd remained friendly. It was probably because theyhad the same group of friends. Hed told Sharon all about the places he traveledto. Shed always at least feigned interest, and if Daisy went, Gil definitely would.Hed just have to invite them in the right order to get a domino effect.

*

Gil was at a comic-book storewhen he finally started coming down from the night before. Hed been rolling toomuch lately. Jonah had introduced him to it in community college, but he didntdo it anymore. Jonah liked to drink instead. Gil had always been quiet and independentand was picked on a lot in high school. Jonah was the first athlete who was evera friend to him. Thats what Gil liked about him; he treated him like everyone elseand was genuinely interested in what he had to say. The only times hed ever seenJonah angry were when he drank too much or when he stuck up for his friends. SometimesJonahs temper scared Gil. It didnt seem possible that someone so affable couldbecome so violent.

Gil was pretending to browsethe new arrivals. Hed known what to expect. He was well aware of their releasedates when they were posted online. The real reason he was there was to see thegorgeous young thing behind the counter again. Hed been in the store often sinceshed been hired. She seemed to be acutely aware of how attractive she was too.

The only reason that hewanted to see her so much was to try to get over Daisy. Jonah had said that thebest way to get over a chick was to find another one, to move on. That was easiersaid than done. Hed loved Daisy for a long time and was pretty sure she still hadno idea, but the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it was justwishful thinking. She knew on a certain level, just as all women knew, that giventhe opportunity, any man would

Help you find something?

The woman behind the counterhad crept up behind him. Gil was startled but tried to appear calm. No, uh, justbrowsing.

Well, youve been lookingat the same rack for about twenty minutes. Maybe I can suggest another rack to lookat, she said.

Gil saw her cleavage outof his peripheral vision, but she was looking him right in the eye, almost daringhim to get an intimate look at her. Gil swallowed.

Sure is lovely outside.Its a shame I have to work all day.

She looked away, past himon purpose, Gil knew, allowing him the opportunity to stare at her. He did. Herbreasts were beautiful. They looked so firm. He felt himself sweat. She looked backat him. It was a trick. She wanted to catch him, and her smile widened. Gil feltstupid. Id probably better get going.

OK. Bye, she said, watchingGil hurry out of the store.

Gil looked back to see herlaughing while looking in his direction.

*

Daisy was out. Shed decidedto have a drink with her friends Tom and Mike. It was after their shift at the clubwhere they all worked.

Shouldnt have broken theseal, Mike said, sliding off his barstool.

Tom watched Mike disappearinto the crowd. Then he turned to Daisy. You want to get out of here?

I just got here. Im noteven drunk yet, Daisy said in her high voice. On numerous occasions, people hadcommented that she sounded like a little girl. One of the reasons she liked Tomwas that hed never mentioned it. What about Mike?