From his perspective he felt that they were so perfectly suited, and even though they had known each other for such a short time, felt connected already to this beautiful traveler, neighbor and hopefully romantic partner.  When she commented on the use of the ‘pent up energy’ his heart pounded a stroke or two with the commitment she had now made, with the possibilities of passion in the near future.  He listened as she told of her story, her life, and unlike most ladies, even her age; at which he chuckled, for he thought her younger, perhaps 40ish, but age wasn’t an issue with him, only the feelings he got when he was with her, and worse, the time they weren’t holding hands or connected somehow in mind or body.<br/><br/>The sands were cool when they stepped into the washed zone of the waters running up and back along the shore.  The salty froth stirred memories of so many hours of sitting atop a surf board in former days of youthful endeavors, and yet he was more ready to enjoy the simpler pleasures of walking with a new friend and talking of his life and hers.<br/><br/>“Well, there isn’t a lot to tell Marti.  I’m a simple man; I’ve worked all of my life it seems in the struggle of day to day existence.  I married my wife when I was young, at age 21, and we lived here in Hawaii for the first two years since I was at the time in the US Military.  In fact my first daughter was born here on Oahu, but that was many years ago, and a lot of meaningless days and yet wondrous ones have happened since that joyous time.”  A look of momentary sadness crossed his expression as he commented “My wife passed away a year ago, and though we loved each other, her passing was a blessing, but enough of that.”  He shook off the memories of what his marriage had become, because she was gone, and nothing could change that reality.  “I have two children, both grown of course, and five grandchildren, though I don’t see as much of them as I’d like, time is something that flies by when one gets older, but then since you are now at that brink, you may well know that too.  I work for a large retail outlet in the Midwest as an hourly manager of several departments, and for the most part really enjoy the daily challenges it provides, though the paycheck isn’t as much as I’d like, I’m comfortable since I’m now approaching Social Security, well…actually 59.”<br/><br/>He has glanced over at her several times as he rambled along in the dissertation of facts, and finds her intent on every word, waiting for each to sound some tidbit of his life.  It tickled him to think that his life would be of interest to anyone, much less an attractive woman he had just met, and yet it seemed so perfectly right somehow.  Their stroll had taken them to the outer reaches of the bay, a good half mile from where their towels lay still by the rocks.  The waters surface was rougher her at the edge of the ocean and glistened atop each peak of the currents and windswept caps.  He looked out across the expanse and then to Marti, her eyes seemingly in dilemma as to look one direction or the other and uttered only “Breathtaking isn’t it?”<br/>