"Let's see some of the shops on the boardwalk." I suggested to Ashley, pointing out the stands and buildings lining parallel to the beach. "I'm going to pass on stripping down to my bikini for the moment."
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Mike!" She giggled. "But if you want to explore the shops around here, there's one place we have to visit."
"Really? Which one is that?"
Ashley waved her hand dismissively, saying, "We can't go there just yet. Later today I'll show you what I mean."
"Alright, let's grab some food. I haven't eaten yet today and I'm starving." I added. Having slept in after the wrestling practice the day before... even though I didn't do a whole lot.
So we strolled over to a beachside cabana and got some fish and chips. Fetching the plastic baskets from the take-out counter, we sat down at a small wooden table with flecks of blue paint chipping off of it.
"Eating for two, I take it?" Ashley mentioned cheekily, watching me scarf down the meal in record time.
"Three, actually." She raised her waxed eyebrows at my comment, replying quickly, "You... you mean to say it's... you've got...?"
"Twins, yes..." I said, explaining the story to her like I did to Mary over the phone, like I did to Branden later that day. Becoming something of an expert at storytelling. Needing to repeat the same story to people over and over again, as it turns out.
"Hmm, Faith and Helen." Ashley said in between a bite of fish. "Helen is Alex's mother's name."
"Alex?" I probed. "You mean, your ex-boyfriend?"
"God, don't even get me started on him." She sulked. "We broke up two weeks ago and he just won't leave me alone! Seriously, I don't know what I saw in that guy."
There was a piece of news, I thought inwardly. Didn't Branden say their relationship had ended for much longer than that? Last school year ended a few months ago, when they officially went their separate ways according to him.
"...And his bitchy attitude! I mean, come on! Why do periods have to be something to fight about? I'm sure you understand, Michael."
I nodded, realizing what kind of a situation I had unwittingly found myself in.
She huffed, "Just 3 months ago, there was a scheduling conflict, and he had to choose between going on vacation with his family or spending time with me on my birthday. Like, I didn't expect him to stay home. I even said it was okay for him to go!"
"So what happened?"
"I don't know, he started acting really weird and didn't return any of my phone calls or texts." Puffed Ashley. "I thought he was mad at me for making him miss his family's vacation or something. I don't know. But he didn't seem like the same person I had come to like and admire afterwards. He said he couldn't explain it to me, but what's that supposed to mean? So I said, 'If you can't sort out your problems with the people closest to you, then your problems will be all you have left.' And then he said, 'You don't see anything wrong with me, Ashley, and that's your problem.' Weird, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess." I replied, poking at my fish with a fork. "I've never met the guy, so I can't pass judgment. It sounds like there must have been some kind of disagreement."
"I can't figure it out, Mike." Ashley shrugged. "One day, he's light-hearted and we're in a stable relationship. The next day, he's all over the place and going on about changing his life or something. Totally blindsided. It's like he had become a different person, you know?"
"Look, maybe it isn't the best thing to dwell on past relationships. Especially after you've just gotten out of one." I tried to say gently. "Some things aren't meant to be, and people have the right to change if they don't like something in their lives."
"But what didn't he like?" Retorted Ashley in an exasperated tone. "Just talk things out! I wanted to help him, but he seemed to push me away for no good reason."
"It could have been something personal. Or with his family." I suggested.
"Maybe." She sighed. "I'm glad to get this off my chest for once. Thanks, Mike."
"No problem, but let's focus on the beach okay?" I smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.
After paying for our lunch, we got up and explored more of the shops around the boardwalk. Although I felt much better after eating lunch, my feet were beginning to kill me, sheathed in a pair of Mary's strappy beach sandals. It also didn't help when children pointed at my swollen belly and laughed.
"Hey, was the baby good?" -- "Mommy, why is that kid so fat?" -- "Were you on that show 16 and Pregnant?" -- "Another teenage pregnancy... k1ds these days!"
Ashley and I stopped at a basket toss booth, its festive red-white-blue coloring appearing like something out of a carnival. Paying a few dollars, I tried to sink 10 basketballs through the hoops stationed just an arm's throw away. Having played basketball for a few years before moving on to wrestling, I thought I had it in the bag. But of the ten balls I only managed to net 4 of them! Once again reminded of my weak arms and new center of gravity. "Can't win 'em all kid. Better luck next time." Said the booth operator.
Flexing my stick-thin arms and frowning, I muttered apologetically, "I swear Ashley, I used to be able to make 50 free throws in a row."
We walked along the boardwalk into the afternoon, passing a group of jugglers, mimes, even a man with a dog on a unicycle! There were a fair share of homeless people around as well, and some were plucking away on a guitar or ukelele to get donations from the passing strangers. Ashley gave some money to a fellow who looked particularly down on his luck. "God bless, thank you!" He mumbled.
"How are you doing?" Ashley asked me after another half hour of touring the local shops and stands.
"Not bad. I got a few trinkets to give my Mom and Dad, plus Branden for setting us up on this date apparently!" I chuckled. "You ready to head to the beach to catch some rays before the sun sets?"
Ashley glanced at her watch again. "In a few minutes. I think it's time to show you that store I mentioned earlier today."
Following her into a surf board store, I looked at the various designs, paint jobs, and styles of wood suspended on the walls. I had never gone surfing before, and with Mary's 6 month pregnant body it was unlikely I would start any time soon. Perhaps Ashley was into surfing as a hobby?
She glanced throughout the store, and checked her watch again. What was she doing?
"There you are! Alex Price!" She pointed an accusatory finger at a person standing behind the register near the back of the store.
"Ashley! What are you doing here?" He asked in a hushed tone, glaring at his ex-girlfriend. "Don't you have somewhere better to go?"
"Don't mind me!" She declared haughtily, taking me by the shoulder and yanking me over. "I'm just here with my new boyfriend, Michael Long. He's on the wrestling team, and he's got way more ambition than you ever will!"
Oh God. Ashley's true intentions of asking me out revealed! Alex's eyes boggled, but he nevertheless retained his composure at seeing his former girlfriend find another mate so quickly.
In making a mental rundown of Alex's appearance, there was something peculiar I noticed about him! What is it???
