Dark Beach Read Online Free PDF Page A

about Kip?”
    “You can wear my coat. You’ll be toasty warm. I’ll be by your side and the sun is setting. And Kip will be fine in the car; she’s asleep anyway and we won’t go out of sight. I don’t want to miss a beach sunset.”
    Jenny felt a twinge of fear. “As long as it doesn’t get dark.”
    Closing the car, they hurried to a pile of gargantuan black rocks that stuck out into the water. Ron kicked off his shoes and socks, and Jenny bent down to ease off her heels.
    “Look at it.” Ron grabbed her hand and pulled her to the ocean’s edge. She glanced the sun, and then back at the car. It was still; no one was around. She turned to the horizon again. The sun had almost hit the ocean, its colors intensifying, refracted through the clouds. They stood there, speechless, watching the ball of light vanish into the unknown.
    “Do you want to climb up on the jetty?” Ron asked.
    “I don’t think I can get out of it, can I?”
    “Nope.”
    He helped her up, onto the nearest behemoth rock, carefully climbing behind her and trying not to slip on the slick surface. Ocean spray surrounded them, its icy drops enlivening them.
    “I’m soaked now. My dress!” Jenny complained, smoothing down the deep blue fabric. She peered towards the car again—still the same.
    “Your dress is blue—what are you worried about? No one’s here but us.” Ron took a step towards her, lowered his head. “Live a little. You’re so worked up tonight.”
    “I can’t help it. You took that work call at dinner.”
    “I had to take it.”
    “You always have to take it.” Losing her balance, she fell forward, into the arms of the man who loved her, who had always loved her.
    “I’m sorry.”
    She felt his heart pounding against hers as he held her there, on the brink.
     
    * * *
     
    “May I sit?”
    “No.” Jenny shook her head but did not look up.
    “You know, you can take a break. This is college. You’re supposed to have fun every once in a blue moon.”
    The young man before her looked baby-faced, much younger than the men who usually flocked around her.
    He held out one hand and pulled out a chair with the other. “Hi, I’m Ron.”
    “Ron, I’m busy. And you don’t look like you belong here.”
    “I don’t?”
    “No.” She returned her attention to her studies.
    “But … soon I will.”
    Jenny couldn’t help but laugh. “I knew it. I just knew it.”
    “What?” Ron’s voice deepened a little and he hooked his thumbs in his jean loops.
    “You’re still in high school.”
    “So.” He sat, stretching his legs out casually before him.
    “I’m way older. Not your kettle of fish.”
    “I like fishing.”
    Jenny giggled.
    Buoyed by the positive response, he kept going. “Can I have your number?”
    “You’re what? Eighteen, at the most?”
    “And counting.”
    She nodded. “I’m sure.”
    “So, that’s a yes.”
    “Um, see, I’m twenty-one, and I have just one year left. We’re too far apart. You’ll be a freshman next year. You’ll get caught up with all those cutesy little virginal girls, all bright-eyed, all looking for trouble.” She snapped the textbook shut on the table. “I’ll be busy trying to get the hell out of here, because if I have to write one more paper, I don’t think I’ll be able to stand myself.”
    Ron took a step back.
    “Okay, okay.” She sighed. Picking up a pen, she tore a scrap of paper from a foolscap ring binder and scrawled on it. “You’re cute. Here’s my number. At least you’re legal.”
    “Thank you!” Ron took it happily and folded it neatly into his pocket. “You won’t be disappointed.” He walked away, triumphant.
    Jenny opened the textbook again and tried to refocus but the words all blurred together on the page. She shook her head. “Boys!”
     
    * * *
     
    The indoor hot tub was very hot. Jenny sat on the edge, naked, her body illuminated by the pale light of a single white candle. She wondered how to tell Ron that she wasn’t