She had interrupted his image of her standing there, a poetic goddess heroically facing the ocean naked, with the taut nipples of her breasts boldly aimed at the horizon. One of the wonders of the universe.
"I don't want to be reminded of jail tonight." He changed the subject. "It appears you've been in Park Beach quite a while."
"Has to be fifteen years or so. I remember it was an election year, and Towson was running for mayor. I was clerking in a department store. I was young and idealistic and got interested in his campaign. He was so tall and distinguished looking. That year was the first I'd ever voted, even though I was twenty-something. I remember a lot of excitement as there was also a Presidential election that year."
"Who was running for president?"
"Good question, let's see, fifteen years ago who was running? You know I don't remember. You're the history expert, you tell me," she laughed.
"So, the wide-eyed young girl joins his campaign and ends up working for him?"
"Well, there's a story in that. The salad's already done. Let me start the pasta and I'll tell you."
He followed her into the kitchen.
She fussed around with the kitchenware, and then began, "I was at the election night gathering of all the campaign workers at the Legion Hall. As word of the victory spread, well-wishers poured in from the street. Air conditioning couldn't begin to handle the overflowing mob plus the TV lights. The hall was hot and we were exhausted. It had been a long day. I took off my painful shoes, and they were kicked over, I didn't know where. I remember I was soaked, trying to keep my damp stringy hair out of my eyes and sipping on a beer. Looking as I did, I kept ducking to avoid all the cameras."
She watched the boiling water and gave stir to something in a small saucepan. "I'm going to skip the garlic tonight." In between her cookery, their eyes would reconnect.
"A special time for you." He wondered if she could feel his eyes on her body whenever she looked away.
She went on with the dinner preparations. "I was running on adrenaline and couldn't have been happier. An hour later, the cameras were gone and the crowd thinned. Tony Hackett, his campaign manager, came over as I was hunting for my other shoe. He said Mayor Towson wanted to meet me. Tony obviously enjoyed saying 'The Mayor.' I said no way. I was a mess. I needed to freshen up, which was impossible there. Tony said just come on the mayor is waiting. I asked if the mayor was thanking all the block workers. No, he was alone and asking for me by name." She finished in the kitchen, and they moved to the dining table.