CHAPTER 1

A four-door car passed a small airport. Charles Clarke, the driver, glanced at a sign on the front of a building.

“There’s the New Smyrna Beach Airport to my right so the town must be ahead,” he muttered. “My sister and her husband stopped here last year on their way to Orlando. She mentioned a Lighthouse Café was a good place to get a meal. She said to stay on US No. 1 and drive through town and it should be on the right side. It’s past the City library on the left side; I’ll also see the Beacon Theater on the left side. The Cafe would be opposite a small shopping mall on the left side of US No. l.”

Charles had just taken early retirement from the Chevrolet Division in Warren, Michigan. He’d worked exactly thirty years for General Motors and would be getting a good pension. He had been working between eight to ten hours a day for six and sometimes seven days a week for the last twenty years. Being a General Foreman required such ungodly hours of overtime. By retiring at fifty-two he would have additional time for writing more articles. He’d already published his first novel “How To Prepare Yourself For Retirement”. It was selling in many book stores.

And the weather in Florida was a lot warmer than in Michigan during a February day. His first task after the noon day meal was to find a room he could rent and then order a computer stand for his computer now resting in the car’s trunk.

Charles saw a make believe lighthouse on the right hand side of the street a few yards ahead. He hoped it would be a good place to eat. His car clock had a twelve-twenty on its dial, and with many cars parked in the lot, the Café must be a good place to get a decent meal.

When Charles pulled-open the Café door and walked into the restaurant he saw twenty or more people eating. Since a sign said ‘Please be seated’ he chose a table for one person. A waitress immediately approached and placed a menu upon the table.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “What do you wish for drinking?” She asked.

Charles looked up at her face. It was a pretty one. “The sign on the door says you have fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice. I’ve just arrived from Michigan and I sure would like large glass of juice,” he replied, gazing at her short-style black hair. “I like your short hair, young lady. It makes your face even prettier.”

The waitress stared at Charles a moment and then her face wore a quick blush. “Thank you. Your face is a handsome one, too. I’ll be back with the juice and then take your order.” She turned and headed for the kitchen.

Charles watched her body walk away. “There’s a great body for a young thing. Wonder what’s her first name? She’s wearing some tag but it was turned so couldn’t see what it said.”

The waitress was soon back with a large glass of orange juice.

Charles grinned as he looked at the face. “So, you turned your name tag and your first name is Sydney,” he stated. “I’m Charles. Glad to meet you. I’ll have some liver and onions, string beans and mashed potatoes. Oh, by the way, where is your toilet room? Better go before drinking the good orange juice.”

Sydney pointed to a small hallway. “Walk past the cashier and it’s the second door that says Gentlemen. I assume you’re one of those.” She grinned as she walked away again.

Charles nodded though he knew she wouldn’t see the nod. The gal was pretty and had an interesting way of making conversation. He saw Sydney returning to his table as he was about to leave.

She showed a drinking straw. “Forgot to leave this straw for you,” she reported. “Have a nice trip.”

Charles noticed she grinned, again.

When he returned to his table he was surprised to see his meal waiting for him. He sat and placed the napkin upon his lap, and then glanced toward the kitchen. He saw Sydney watching him, and still grinning. He waved and started eating. The liver was tasty.

More customers arrived, were seated and Sydney placed menus upon their tables. She walked past his table.

“Every thing all right?” She asked.

“Fine,” Charles replied. “Meal’s great especially the orange juice.” He held up a hand. “I’d like to ask a question, if you have a moment,” He reported.

Sydney nodded. “After I take their order I’ll spend some of my precious time with you,” she replied and then walked away, again.

Charles noticed another waitress come from the kitchen and waited on another couple who entered the room. He also saw Sydney writing something on a pad as she talked to her customers. She nodded to them after saying something and then started walking toward his table.

“I’ll be back shortly,” she stated.

And she was. She even sat at his table.

“What’s the question?” She asked. “Are you married?”