Page 32 of Erase Me
“They built a town to hide an illegal, money-making enterprise.They were rogues and rebels.”
“History is full of rogues and rebels.They bring about change.They make life exciting, worth living,” she argued.“So what if their initial motivation was questionable?They built this beautiful village that we’re still enjoying today.I think that’s valuable.”
“You’re determined to be their fan, aren’t you?”
“I cheer for people.Especially those who go against the system to leave their mark, to make a difference, even to live happily ever after.So long as they don’t hurt others and keep to themselves.”
“Well, there was no happily-ever-after for Hanson.In the 1930s, when Prohibition was repealed, the Depression cleaned him out.With no cash flowing in from liquor, the town mostly went bankrupt.Hanson lost almost everything and moved back to Los Angeles.”
She sighed as she looked up at the colorful array of buildings on the hills overlooking the ocean.Windows flashed brilliantly colored reflections of the setting sun.
“I’m glad the town survived.”Avalie lowered her gaze and looked directly into my eyes.“Some things are worth saving.They can end up having value even if they start off wrong.Evenif someone breaks the rules.”
Our dinner arrived, and as we ate, our conversation wandered from the architecture of the town’s original buildings to the surfers to the weather.She mentioned that she’d seen a poster in a window on Del Mar today advertising an art festival down here by the pier this weekend.
“Will you be around then?”I had to ask.
“I don’t know yet.We have our apartment until Saturday, but I’m only planning one day at a time.”
While we were finishing dessert, we were treated to an art show put on by Nature.
To the west, an amazing sunset over the Pacific unfolded, streaking the sky with a breathtaking spectacle of reds and yellows.Around us, the atmosphere changed.The entire ‘Pier Bowl’, as the locals called this part of town, was suddenly imbued with a sense of awe.Customers in the restaurant, people gathered on the pier, and those still on the beach all seemed caught up in the need to capture the moment with their phones and cameras.
Avalie and I, however, appeared to be the only people who weren’t engrossed in documenting the scene.Instead, I watched her as she silently soaked in the natural beauty.The effects of the colors and the light on the land, the sea, and the sky were simply magical.And like me, she was completely detached from the digital frenzy around us.
I broke the silence.“I’m impressed.”
“Me, too.I don’t think I’ve ever seen a view more beautiful than this.”
I was about to mention San Francisco and its equally stunning sunsets, but the words died on my tongue.
Fuck me, but she was so beautiful.
The sun’s golden rays bathed her face, emphasizing the delicate contours and casting a mesmerizing glow on her features.Her eyes, reflecting the colors of the sky, projected a depth that mirrored the beauty of the scene before us.I’d thought Avalie was beautiful from the first moment I saw her.But in this particular moment, she was a living canvas painted by the hand of Nature itself.
This kind of reaction while on assignment was not helpful.
Still, I said, “I was talking about you.I’m impressed byyou.”
She opened her mouth to respond but then closed it.The blush on her cheeks deepened as our eyes locked.
“I mean, your phone isn’t glued to your hand.”
She laughed and then looked away, drawing a deep breath of the sea air.“I spend enough hours in front of a screen for work.I love it when I’m out of the house and can feel, smell, enjoy Nature.This is a gift.”
Our server came back to offer more coffee.
“But I don’t see you snapping videos or pictures, either,” Avalie said.“Or checking headline news or box scores.”
“No.That’s not me.Whatever is meant to happen will happen without me refereeing from the sidelines.”
Again, that look crossed her face.It came with that momentary pause as if she were analyzing me rather than having a conversation with me.But none of that bothered me.I was enjoying the play of light and shadow that highlighted the gentle curve of her smile and the graceful lines of her face.
Damn, but I was definitely drawn to her.Again, not helpful.
“Maybe it’s time for us to exchange our last names,” I suggested.
“Briar.Avalie Briar.”
