Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“Ow!”

“That’s funny, man,” said Wayne.

“All right, we’re here!” yelled David as the van coasted to a stop.

“We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon here but be sure to be back by the van by five in case we split up,” said Maddy. “David and I will hang out at our usual.”

“Uh huh,” said Pad.

Wayne, Jack and Pad grabbed their towels and headed for the beach while David and Maddy headed to their favorite beach bar.

Pad showed Wayne the pier where he hung out as a kid while Jack laid in the sun, trying to tan.

“So what do you think?” asked Pad.

“I think this is pretty cool. Don’t have beaches in Utah, and even though I’ve been to California, this is all right.”

Pad looked the people. Men, women, kids. All mixing together. Teenaged girls in the tightest bikinis. Some kids down the beach throwing frisbie. The smell of the Gulf, salty but fishy.

I’m definitely not back in Saudi Arabia.

“Hey, Earth to Pad. What are you thinking?” asked Wayne.