|
"Laura's Dream" |
| Copyright Francis Blow, 1986. |
| CHAPTER 21 |
| Laura woke at five thirty, slipped quietly out of bed and put on her lime green one-piece. She added a short yellow skirt, matching running socks and her new training shoes. While Gran slept, Laura wrote a brief note. Inside the waistband of her skirt was a small pocket, which was just large enough for her keys and a ten dollar bill. She rode the elevator to the lobby, greeted the smiling cleaning staff, and began jogging. |
| Her route took her along rocky beaches, beside concrete waterways and parks. As she ran, Laura decided that her outfit was perhaps too visible, because of the number of men who stared at her. She determined to enlarge her wardrobe even more that day, with sensible running clothes. Shorts, runners singlets and some really good sports bras, and possibly extra pairs of the ultra cheap Reeboks and Nikes. |
| Laura could not get over the unreal prices for clothes in Hawaii. And Gran said the mainland was cheaper! Just wait till I can afford to get to California and to Florida, she promised herself. When I hit those shops, they won't know what's happened to them! |
| After a full hour's run, with only her plans and dreams for company, Laura was back at the hotel in time for breakfast with Gran. Laura's customary shower waited until after Gran left for her day of business meetings. |
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| Dressed in a frilly, light frock, Laura left the hotel with three hundred dollars in her purse. There was a world of shopping to explore, starting with the sprawling International Markets, where almost every conceivable souvenir could be found, from T-shirts to cute ceramic dragons that held crystals on their chubby tummies. Laura lunched on fruit salad in one of the bistros, before she carried her armloads of booty back to her hotel room. |
| She was glad when she locked the door behind her, since all the way back from the Markets, she had a prickling sensation along her spine, as if she were being followed. |
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| One of her purchases had been another bikini, since the one at home was getting a small. The new one was soft, and a deep, shiny blue. It was very comfortable on, when Laura wore it down to the pool. Her training could not be allowed to slacken off, especially with all the rich food she was eating. |
| Laura left her keys on a sun lounge, and dove into the crystal clear water. She swam back and forth, doing her laps, while other patrons played around her. |
| Occasionally, when she had to divert around someone, Laura would notice a Hawaiian boy of about sixteen watching her from the side of the pool. He was handsome enough, yet his study of her was more intense than most young men gave her. |
| When Laura started to lift herself out of the pool, her watcher was there, offering his hand. |
| "You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I had to speak to you, even if it meant you told me to jump off the roof. My name is Alan Stevens." |
| Laura could not help herself. She giggled. "No one has ever tried that line on me before. Hi, I'm Laura." |
| They shook hands formally. |
| "I would never have guessed that a girl as slim as you could be such a strong swimmer. Are you a professional?" |
| "No. I enjoy keeping fit, and this doesn't take much strength. Just stamina," Laura replied. "Are you staying here in the hotel?" |
| "I wish I could afford to," he shrugged. "I followed you, and when I saw you leave your room, bare foot and without a purse, I guessed you were coming here." |
| "All that just to watch me? I didn't think anyone was worth that much attention!" Laura had to suppress another giggle. His flattery had caught her off guard, as it was meant to. Nothing in her experience had prepared her for such a blatant pickup. |
| "Are you going to stay on my islands long?" He asked. |
| "About a week here, then three days on Kauai, before we return here for a last two days. Do you live nearby, or are you working here?" |
| "I'm a messenger. I brought a package here for one of the guests, and saw you walk past the desk. It wasn't easy, but I found your room number, and here we are." |
| "So you have to go back to work?" Laura's ego was disappointed. It wanted more of his attention. |
| "The office can wait. This is Hawaii. We don't rush things here." |
| "Wouldn't you call this meeting rushed?" Laura countered. |
| "Not as rushed as I'd like it to be." There was something in his eyes and voice that made Laura blush. She wished she had brought a towel to hide behind. She felt vulnerable and did not like it. |
| "Have I embarrassed you Laura?" He asked, and a disarming smile made her relax slightly. |
| "I'm not used to this." She admitted. There was something about him that both frightened and attracted her. Should she stay and talk, or run away and hide in her room? |
