Flying Too Close to the Sun by George Jehn (novels for beginners .txt) 📕

barely visible behind them were quickly replaced with fog and a ghostlike curtain dropped over the entire airport. As they taxied for takeoff on runway 22 Right Erik found himself wishing the entire thing was over.

Christina’s mind was also busy wondering what would be the best method to rendezvous with Juni. After his grandmother’s birthday party, David had mentioned something about a family picnic, which might provide the opportunity?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

When Christina arrived home from work David was in the process of wiring something.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“It’s the new sound stereo system I mentioned a while back. It can be used for music and the TV.”

“Let me guess; you put it on my credit card?”

“Yes. You didn’t say—”

“While I’m thinking of it,” she interrupted with a more important item now on her mind and a feigned smile on her face. “I’ve been meaning to tell you how much I enjoyed your grandmother’s birthday party.”

“From the feedback, everyone liked you too.”

“Didn’t you mention there was going to be another get-together soon, a picnic or something?”

“It’s this Saturday at my Uncle Danny’s beach house.”

“That sounds like fun and I’m off. Wanna go?”

“Sure.”

On Saturday they drove to the gathering held at a modest, three-room bungalow located just a few short blocks from the Atlantic Ocean on Rockaway Beach. It was a warm, bright day and Christina purposely wore a pair of cut-off, tight-fitting shorts. David told her, “Wow! Every member of my family is going to notice you.”

“Hey, we are going to the beach.” Christina was interested in getting only one person’s attention. Forty-five minutes later they pulled up in front of the cottage in one of Long Island’s few remaining Italian and Jewish ethnic seaside bastions. These two diverse, yet in many ways similar cultures had coexisted peacefully for years. Aside from the hi-rise apartments built along the beach, the community consisted of old wooden row houses constructed a long time ago. It appeared as though about half had been either meticulously maintained in their original condition or torn down and replaced by gaudy Mc Mansions. David’s uncle’s place fit the former description. They went around the back of the small home where there was a tiny concrete yard and the only hint of soil was a small tomato garden in a sunny corner. The person she wanted to see, Juni Rosario gave her a peck on the cheek and asked, “How you been?”

“Good.” David wasn’t close by, so she whispered, “I’d like to speak with you, privately.”

“OK…but let’s wait a bit,” Juni stammered, while eyeballing her skimpy outfit. “There would be lots of explaining if we just up and left. I’ll signal you and then meet me on the boardwalk where it’s crowded.”

A smiling Christina nodded her head.

.     .     .

It was a perfect day for a beach outing, one of those comfortable yet warm New York summer days, with the moist and lazy sea breeze just strong enough to move the dry summer landside heat aside, eliciting mere whispers as the cooler air softly flowed through the entire area. The sky was clear and the air smelled sweet, like the water. It would only be a short time until the insufferable New York heat and humidity settled in for its annual stay, grasp the land by the throat and squeeze it until days like this would become a memory.

The luncheon menu consisted of tasty homemade Italian meatballs with fried eggplant. She and David next decided to go for a swim, so Christina shed the shorts, revealing a skimpy bikini. As if to compete, David slipped into his Speedo, which didn’t leave much to the imagination. They swam in water feeling like a cool blast of icy air wherever it touched the skin, helping to rejuvenate bodies grown lethargic from all the rich food. Next, a softball game was organized with another beach group. Since she wasn’t interested, Christina put on her tank top and headed for the house, leaving David to flex his muscles and play ball. About halfway back she saw Juni walking in her direction. He almost imperceptibly nodded his head while passing. Christina casually changed course and once on the boardwalk looked, but didn’t spot him. Had she misread the cue? An instant later the short man, wearing sunglasses so dark his eyes resembled two black holes, was standing right beside her.

“Where’d you come from?”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“Never mind.”

Christina thought how much their outfits clashed. Her chartreuse-colored bikini bottom and tank top might garner attention, but Juni’s black pants and stark white shirt, his way of remaining unobtrusive, made him even more conspicuous. He would be more in place walking the streets in New York’s Little Italy in February.

“Let’s stroll a bit,” he suggested. They walked on the boardwalk beachside from the apartments that effectively walled off the beach. Young teenaged boys, rolling through summer on their bikes continually passed them. Others lounged on the benches looking at unconcealed legs, low-cut tops and short-shorts hoping to afford a quick peek. At first she and Juni simply took in the sights; the people and fast-food eateries. Neither uttered a word and their visual spectacle was completed by the summertime mélange of cotton candy and popcorn intermingling with the ocean scent and uncollected trash.

Juni finally spoke. “What’s so important we have to meet this way?” wondering what Christina’s reply might be.

From the little David had told her she thought it would be best to act businesslike and get right to the point. “Even though you and I have only met once before, on the drive home the night after your mother’s party David told me you once worked for a bank and you either quit or were forced out over some missing money...”

Juni removed his sunglasses and looked deeply into Christina’s blue eyes. His were so angry she felt as though they might singe her hair. “He oughta know better.”

“I normally wouldn’t give it a second thought, until recently. I’m only interested in the future, our futures, yours