Through the Changing Seasons

By Sam Pettus

The Autumn Spring saga continues with this second installment in the contemporary age-spanning romance series by author Sam Pettus. Fifty-two-year-old Larry Watts and twenty-six-year-old Brandy Ames have committed themselves to being a couple after a very unusual three-month courtship that started soon after Brandy became Larry’s next-door neighbor. The two quickly found out that they had a lot in common despite their age difference and that both fit almost perfectly in the void left in each other’s lives by previous bad relationships. They know where their growing love is taking them; however, they have decided to wait a year before seeing if their relationship is strong enough to last, with the prizes of engagement and marriage awaiting them at its end. This book, Through the Passing Seasons, lets you witness the major parts of that special journey Larry and Brandy take over the course of that year.

Come experience Larry and Brandy’s year of trial with them. Share in their Beach Party style summer vacation, their hunt for a supposed monster in the city sewers, their dealing with a flooded apartment, and more. Witness the fierceness of their first major fight, Brandy’s learning to cook for the first time, the return of Brandy’s ex-boyfriend, their playing servants for a day for Brandy’s boss, and her being given the career chance of a lifetime, only to discover that she might have to give up Larry in order to claim it. See for yourself what also happens during this special year in the lives of those around them: their friends, coworkers, neighbors (old and new), Brandy’s mother and sister, and more. Welcome back, friends. Welcome back to the wonderful world of Autumn Spring.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Mar 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662458149

Sam Pettus

Sam Pettus is a graduate of Arkansas Tech University with a degree in mathematics who also studied at the United States Naval Academy and worked for a time in the nuclear power industry. Sam love's of videogames started early, when his father bought him a Sears Atari VCS and the game MISSILE COMMAND as a Christmas present in his youth. From there he moved on quickly to Commodore personal computers, staying with them and learning them well – from the venerable Commodore 64 on through the Amiga 4000 - throughout their original lifetime. It was his brother Mark who re-introduced him to his original love of videogame consoles with the Sega Genesis, and he would later come back to and rediscover it during a year-long period of unemployment following his nuclear power career. Sam eventually won a job with the United States Postal Service (with whom he still works today), but turned to writing in his spare time as the realization of yet another childhood love and dream. He combined both his passion for writing and his love for videogames in the original version of this book, which was written as a series of articles for the Sega-oriented website Eidolon's Inn (give address). Sam is also the author of the online treatise “Emulation: Right or Wrong?,” as well as an unpublished (but completed) effort to recreate the other two never-written books in J.R.R. Tolkien's Atanatarion Trilogy. He was both the main writer and editor of the “D2: Dreamcast Database” online newsletter, and has authored almost a dozen other online books on various science fiction and fantasy subjects under various pseudonyms.

Book preview

The Story So Far

Larry Watts was a typical late-middle-aged working man of the kind one might encounter anywhere and at any time. In his case, he lived in the city of Middleton in middle America, where he worked as a forklift driver with local business Marr Freight, and he lived and worked there during the early part of the twenty-first century, Gregorian calendar. Following his divorce from his wife Margaret, he had become the first tenant at the newly opened Richland Townhomes apartment complex when it had first opened around the same time. That was fourteen years ago, and as time passed he became comfortably ensconced in his new life. So when Larry woke up one morning to find that he had a new neighbor next door, he thought nothing of it at first. He did not know that his life would never be the same from that day onward.

Brandy Ames was the name of that new neighbor. She was an attractive young adult woman trying to make her own new start in life after running wild for two years following the death of her beloved father. Fortunately, she had earned a college degree before that happened. She was also lucky in landing a job as a legal receptionist, thanks to the kindness of a local attorney who saw great potential in her. The pay was enough for her to rent her own apartment and quit living with her worthless boyfriend, and it was the apartment next to Larry’s at the Richland Townhomes that she wound up renting. They became acquainted on her very first day in her new home and, by a string of incredible events over the next few days, also became close friends.

Over the next three months, the friendship of Larry Watts and Brandy Ames blossomed and grew into a genuine romance. The fact that they were a quarter-century apart in age did not matter. They discovered that they had a lot in common despite their differences in age. Both shared similar personalities and tastes. Both had suffered from bad previous romantic relationships and were looking for fresh starts. Brandy saw in Larry the kind of man she had always wanted to know and love. She saw a man with old-fashioned values who cherished women and did his best to please them instead of treating them as convenient sex objects. On the other hand, Larry saw in Brandy the kind of woman he had always wanted to come to know and love, a woman he could cherish because she accepted him for who and what he was instead of trying to make him over into something he wasn’t. It took them only three short months before they came to the conclusion that they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Even so, they did not rush to that decision headlong.

Both Larry and Brandy remembered the pain of their past failed romances, and both wanted to make sure that theirs would not fail. That was why they mutually agreed on a year of trial together. They would still remain committed to each other, but they would let the events of that year and how it affected them help to decide whether or not they were truly meant for each other.

This is the story of Larry and Brandy’s year of trial, one in which they strove to carry the love they found together in their initial autumn spring, through the changing seasons, and to the other side.

Part 1

Summer Vacation

Beach Party Richland

Mama Nelson, Larry and Brandy’s neighbor across the way at the Richland Townhomes, whistled a cheerful tune as she maneuvered her late-middle-aged bulk out the door of her apartment and then headed for the manager’s office across the way. It was that time of the month for paying the rent, and she always made sure that she and her husband, Rufus, had their rent paid on time. Rufus normally did it. Today he was busy, so she was doing it for him. It was but a trifle, and she was having a good day, which was why she whistled as she walked. She was happy, the day was sunny and bright, and her man was finally back at work again. No more lazing around the apartment!

Hel-lo! Mama exclaimed as she came into the foyer of the manager’s building and stepped up to the counter window for his office. I’m here to pay the rent!

Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka-takka…

There was no response save for the sound of keys clicking on a computer keyboard as the man behind the counter made a point of ignoring her. Mama’s eyebrows narrowed. She put up with this for a few more seconds then growled at him. Are you gonna get up here, or am I gonna have to come in there an’ git ya?

Just hold your horses until I can get to you, Mrs. Nelson.

It appeared that the man was being deliberately rude, so Mama made a point of harrumphing rather loudly. The man then made a point of ignoring her, as he continued to work at his computer. His fingers flew as he entered data on his computer keyboard from something that was propped up on a nearby reading easel.

Takka-takka-takka-takka-takka-takka…

Mama granted the man the privilege of her putting up with his nonsense for one full minute, and then she spoke again. When she did, her words came out in a pointedly angry growl. Look, I ain’t got all day. Is you gonna take this check, or do I need to just leave it here an’ move on?

The man stopped typing and made a point of letting out a big sigh. All right, Mrs. Nelson, he said rather huffily as he turned to look at her. I’ll be right there. He slowly got up out of his chair, slowly moved it back under his desk, slowly turned, and then slowly made the short trip to the front counter. All the while, Mama watched him through narrowed eyes, as the man made a point of dragging out his performance. Once he was finally on his side of the front counter, he looked at her with a bland and expressionless face and said, Yes?

Mama already had the rent check in hand. She shoved it across the counter and under the window so he could get it. Here ya go, she almost snarled. Now if-n you don’t mind givin’ me a receipt, one that doesn’t take ya until next Tuesday to write, then I can go an’ you can get back to yer peckin’.

The man picked up the check. He looked at it for several seconds then set it back down on the counter. He then pushed it back toward her, speaking blandly as he did. Mrs. Nelson, this check is no good.

"What! Mama exclaimed. It’d better be good! It’s straight from my husband’s retirement account!"

That’s the problem, the man behind the counter drawled in a monotone voice. He pointed at the bottom-right quarter of the face of the check. It’s his account, and he didn’t sign the check. It’s no good unless he does, Mrs. Nelson.

Mama glared at the man across the counter. The man looked back, never wavering and never flinching.

After several seconds of this, it was Mama who broke the standoff. Her face lit up, and she gave the man a big grin as she said sweetly, Well, now! Why don’t you be a good little husband and sign that check for me, Plumkins?

Rufus Nelson grinned back at his wife. Be happy to, Mama, he said as he reached up under his vest and pulled out a pen with a flourish. He was dressed in a manner very similar to what apartment manager Lester Dent usually wore, in his drabbest clothes and right down to the black plastic framed glasses, except that, in the case of Rufus, his were of clear glass. He signed the check, took it back over the counter, and placed it in front of the paper off which he had been typing on the reading easel on his desk. He then turned back to Mama, his grin still on his face. So how was my performance, Mama? he asked.

Mama shook her head, laughing as she did. You is too good, Rufus! You had me goin’ there for a bit, even though I knowed it was you. Her laughter finally settled down as she continued. Ah, Lawdy, how I wish we had the old Lester back! He used to be so nice before his wife died, and now he’s just a mean ol’ cuss.

That’s why Mr. Howard made him take that vacation, Rufus noted. Even he was getting fed up with his behavior.

And I is so glad that Larry and Brandy and their friends invited him to go with him to rich lawyer friend’s beach house of his, Mama added. Maybe some time off with them will do him some good, you know?

I know, Mama, Rufus said.

An’ I is so glad that Mr. Howard let you fill in for Lester whilst everyone was gone, Mama said, plowing on with her words as if Rufus had never spoken. She gave him a knowing look. "I’se getting so tired of seein’ you sittin’ round the apartment all day, doin’ nuthin’ but reading your stupid paper. Now youse actually doin’ something! Isn’t that right, Rufus?"

Rufus chuckled. Yes, Mama, he said with a smile. Let’s just hope Larry and Brandy and everyone else is having a good time while they’re gone.

*****

The opening electronic-filled guitar riff of Gimme Some Loving by the Spencer Davis Group filled the air from the two open drop-tops in front of the three-car caravan flying down the interstate on the last leg of their trip to the coast. Alan Hansen and his new girlfriend, Jodie Marks, were in the front convertible, which was a vintage 1960s red Corvette C1. Larry Watts drove, and Brandy Ames sat beside him in the front seat of the second convertible, a beautiful-looking Ford Torino custom. In the back were four more people, fellow friends, and coworkers. Eric Meyers sat on the left, with his partially paralyzed wife, Laura, in his lap, both enjoying the song as the wind whipping by them. Beside them sat Tim Wright and Kimmy Stevens, the third official couple of their group. Everyone was getting down and enjoying the song on the radio as the opening finished and its excitedly sung vocals kicked in. The desired exit soon came up, and both convertibles took it, along with an immaculate Lexus IS300 following some distance back, even as the music continued to blast away from both convertibles. The Lexus was the third.

That Lexus belonged to Brandy’s mother Jennifer, and she was driving it. Sitting beside her in the front passenger seat was Lester Dent, manager of the Richland Townhomes. He looked decidedly out of place in sneakers, a pair of jeans, a blue plaid shirt, and a ball cap of all things, instead of the bland and semiformal sweater and slacks he normally wore while on the job. In the back was Jennifer’s second daughter and Brandy’s elder twin sister, Terri Ames, and not even the sounds of the Spencer Davis Group playing somewhat more sedately on her mother’s car radio could brighten her obviously dark mood.

Hey, Mom? Terri whined, waving at Lester. How’d we get stuck with this old badger? I thought you didn’t like him.

It’s not a question of likes, dear, Jennifer replied, her tone full of the patience with which she had learned over the years to have on hand whenever dealing with her eldest daughter. Mr. Howard ordered Mr. Dent to take a vacation. Mr. Hansen was nice enough to invite him along with the rest of us to his beach house, so I’m letting him ride with us in spite of any issues that might exist between us. She let a smile slip onto her face. You should try it sometime.

And I, for one, am grateful for the ride, Lester said, looking over at Jennifer. Thank you, Mrs. Ames.

You’re welcome, Mr. Dent, Jennifer replied cheerfully.

"Oh, puh-leeezzzzeee," Terri replied. She deliberately drawled out the last word, saying it with as much sarcasm as she could manage.

Jennifer took a brief moment to glance at Terri in the rearview mirror, but all she got for her effort was a contemptuous grimace.

They made it to Alan’s beach house about a half hour later, down a private lane laid with pea gravel and carefully maintained that branched off the state road paralleling the coast. It wound its way down a large crevice in the coastal cliffs to a large and sturdily built modern-looking split-level beach house nestled at the head of a small bay. It had two floors, two fair-sized extensions mounted halfway up each side, a rooftop lookout, and a large two-vehicle garage on the ground floor of the closer extension. The one farthest from the road appeared to serve as a boathouse, with an inlet from the bay going all the way up to and under a cantilever door mounted on its front. Stairs going up the house’s side and down the far side of the boathouse extension allowed for access to the beach from both directions. The house also had a very large balcony and patio on its second floor mounted seaward, and a sturdily built glass wall offered a spectacular view of the nearby ocean for those inside.

Terri was openly gawking through the patio’s glass wall as she walked with the others into the main living area with her luggage. I should have tried harder with you, Alan, she said in awe. My God, what a place!

Alan, who was walking beside Jodie, turned to look back and give Terri a friendly grin. Well, he offered, better luck next time.

"Pbbbbbbbbbbbllltt!" Jodie offered with her tongue. She had also turned to look back at Terri with Alan and turned with him as the two walked away. For her part, all Terri could offer in return was a smoldering glare.

Tut-tut, her sister Brandy chided from nearby. Terri turned to see both her and Larry putting their luggage down with the others. Brandy turned as soon as she was done and again addressed her. Remember, Terri, the only reason you’re here on this trip with us is because Alan let you come as a favor to Mom.

I know, I know, Terri grumbled as she lugged her luggage over and put it with the rest. You don’t have to remind me.

Whatever else was said was interrupted by the arrival of Eric and Laura, the last of their group to arrive. Eric was carrying Laura up the stairs, and he sat her in the nearest chair once they were up. At the same time, Larry and Ted detached themselves from the group and went back down with Eric. The rest made small talk until the three returned with both Eric and Laura’s luggage and also Laura’s wheelchair. They put the luggage with the others and then promptly set up the wheelchair before helping Eric ease Laura out of the chair and into it. She thanked them, and then everyone assembled around Alan, who stood near the center of the room along with Jodie.

Now that we’re here, Alan said, why don’t you guys and gals get settled in while Jodie and I head to town and stock up on supplies and other necessities? We also need to sort out the sleeping arrangements. Everyone quietly laughed at that. There’s rooms enough for everyone, but we need to decide who gets what and with who, and so on.

Here’s an idea, Jennifer offered. "Since all of us are here, as in the old Beach Party movies, why don’t we girls sleep in one big room and you guys take another?"

Terri rolled her eyes at this and started to speak, but an excited Brandy was already talking. "You mean do the Scooby-Doo thing? Mom, that’s a great idea!"

Hey now, wait just a minute! Ted exclaimed, cutting off Terri’s next attempt at talking. She decided to keep her mouth shut for now even as he was cut off by his girlfriend, Kimmy.

Oh, chill out, Ted, Kimmy said with a bit of a paternal smile. We’ve got plenty of time and other places we can be together on this vacation. I think it’s a good idea, and so do you. She now looked him straight in the eyes and raised her voice just enough to be noticeable. Right, Ted?

Ted caught the hint. Oh yeah, great idea! he quickly covered, but to himself, he was thinking, This sucks!

Eric gave his wife, Laura, a loving look. Are you okay with this, hon? he asked.

Laura returned Eric’s loving look with one of her own. Certainly, Eric. She now added a hint of a mischievous grin. That way, I don’t have to put up with you snoring.

Eric pretended to look hurt. Me? he asked. "Snore?"

With those words, everyone except Terri and Lester had a good laugh. Lester merely looked as cross as always, while Terri rolled her eyes again. Larry found Brandy’s arm slipping around his side even as his sought hers, and they both gave each other warm looks.

All right, then, Alan said. He turned and nodded at Jodie, who nodded back. Together they headed for the stairs, Alan talking as he walked. We’ll be back before long. Larry? Mr. Dent? Will you two take charge and keep an eye on everyone while we’re gone?

Sure, Lester drawled. Why not?

You got it, Larry replied.

Good, Alan said. We’ll see you later. With that, he and Jodie headed down the stairs.

By the time Alan and Jodie were driving away from the beach house in Alan’s Corvette, the two older men were consulting with each other even as the others sorted their luggage by the sex of the owner. You know, Lester, Larry offered, If you’d rather have a separate room than bunk with the rest of us guys—

Oh, it’s all right, Lester replied dryly, never cracking a smile. I don’t mind. After all, I’m supposed to loosen up per the boss, right? To everyone’s surprise, he actually chuckled. You know, I haven’t done anything like this since I was a kid.

Me neither, Jennifer quickly said, moving up beside him. Ah, to be young again! Summer camp, pajama parties— She abruptly stopped and looked at Lester then at the others as she addressed them. Mr. Dent, you just gave me a great idea! Let’s have an old-fashioned pajama party tonight before all of us go to bed.

Sounds like fun, Mrs. Ames, Larry said encouragingly.

Count us in, Mom! Brandy added with a smile.

What do you say, Laura? Eric asked his wife.

We’re in, Eric, Laura replied approvingly.

Me too! Kimmy chimed in.

Sure, why not? Ted added.

Everyone now looked at the one person in the room who had remained silent ever since Alan and Jodie had left. Terri stood in place, with her arms crossed and her face set in what might best be described as a determined scowl.

Terri? Jennifer asked quietly. What about you?

Terri eyed her mother for a few moments and then allowed herself a small sly smile. Sure, Mom. Why not? She now added a good dose of sarcasm to her words as she continued speaking. "Being part of a living Beach Party movie has always been a dream of mine. Jennifer’s eyebrows narrowed as Terri continued. And since you guys want to play Frankie and Annette and all of their Beach Party friends, and we have Mr. Dent here to fill in for the crazy old coot in some of those movies, then that leaves me only one part to play."

Jennifer made a point of sighing. Okay, Terri. I’ll bite. What part is that?

Terri immediately cocked her body into an exaggerated feminine model pose, with one hand on one hip and the forefinger of the other pointed at one of her temples, put a silly look on her face, and then spoke loudly in an exaggerated fake Swedish accent. "Ja, ja, ja!"

Now it was Jennifer’s turn to roll her eyes.

It took everyone another hour to both sort out the sleeping arrangements and get settled in. Alan and Jodie came back near the end of that hour and, together with everyone else, changed into their swimsuits. After that, it was outside for everyone. Alan, Jodie, Lester, Jennifer, and Terri stayed behind to prepare their dinner on the beach house’s patio grill while everyone else headed for the beach. The sun was high in a clear blue sky as the others raced for the surf, with the sounds of the classic beach tune Beach Baby by First Class sending them on their way from the portable radio up on the beach-house patio.

Larry, Brandy, Ted, and Kimmy led the way to the splashing surf. Kimmy wore a bikini with a red-and-white floral pattern that looked very good on her, while Brandy wore a somewhat skimpier revealing red bikini that left most of her uncovered and the rest to the imagination. Ted had on a pair of dark-blue swim trunks that fell halfway between briefs and a Speedo in size, while Larry wore a far more conservative pair of traditional thigh-long blue swim trunks, but with a pair of aviator sunglasses on his head to add to the look. Not far behind were Eric and Laura, with Laura riding piggyback on Eric and he moving as fast as he could. It was surprisingly fast, given her added weight. He had on traditional red swim trunks, while she had on a turquoise string bikini with white trip and strings that was even more revealing than Brandy’s. It accented Laura’s natural beauty in every way just as Brandy’s and Kimmy’s did, and her beauty, as seen by any onlooker, was such that it would have never crossed their minds that she couldn’t use her legs. Not that it mattered. It was a private beach house, with the Hansen family owning both of it and a good section of the land in either direction, so the only onlookers whom Brandy and Larry and their friends might get would have been either trespassers or those coming up the beach itself.

Seeing Laura riding piggyback on her husband gave Brandy an idea, and once she shared it with the others, everyone excitedly agreed. Soon enough, Brandy was on Larry’s back and Kimmy on Ted’s, and with that, the three couples commenced to engage in the long-standing Beach Party tradition of piggyback beach wrestling. Not surprisingly, Eric and Laura were the eventual winners. Eric was strong to begin with, but the upper-body strength of Laura was simply amazing, given her feminine looks. Then again, a discerning eye would have seen the extra layers of muscle carefully arranged on the upper part of her form so that they actually accented her natural beauty instead of sticking out and making her look like some female version of a musclehead. Kimmy and Ted were the first to be toppled, and about five minutes later, Brandy and Larry followed them into the sand. They did so laughing, however, as had Kimmy and Ted, who were still laughing. Both Eric and Laura added their own mirth to everyone else’s as he gently set her down, and everyone rested.

Meanwhile, back at the beach house, dinner preparations were well underway on the side patio. Both grill and picnic table were on a smaller-side balcony of the beach house between the main patio and the boathouse, with stairs leading to both and also down to the beach. Lester, who was the only one who hadn’t changed into swimwear, was busy manning the grill and doing a surprisingly good job of it. Terri stood not far from him, dressed in a provocative flame orange bikini and black beach pumps, and was making a point of doing an exaggerated imitation of a dumb blonde. She would occasionally get Lester whatever he needed for the grill, always answering each request with a giddy "Ja, ja, ja!" whenever she did. Lester ignored this as best as he could, as did the others. Jennifer, Alan, and Jodie were busy setting the nearby picnic table and getting the drinks ready. Jennifer wore a stunning blue-and-purple one-piece swimsuit that not only showed how well preserved she was for her age but also emphasized that she still had more than her fair share of her once-youthful form. Jodie had on a bikini as did the other three younger women, except that hers was painted in bands of red, pink, and yellow, and it probably fell somewhere between Kimmy’s and Brandy’s in terms of what it revealed of her and what it did not. Alan, on the other hand, had on the most conservative beach outfit of all the young men in their group, as befitting his nature. He, too, wore traditional swim trunks as did Larry and Eric; however, his were dark gray, and he also had on a white pullover beach hoodie lined in dark green. He also wore flip-flops, as did Jennifer and Jodie, but that was due more to their helping with getting dinner ready than anything else.

The other three rejoined Lester and Terri at the grill even as Alan addressed Lester. We’re about to go down to the beach to tell everyone that dinner’s ready. Thanks again for being our grill master, Mr. Dent. You’re very good.

Glad to be useful, Mr. Hansen, Lester said dryly as he tweaked the meat a bit, cooking on the grill with a large pair of tongs. I’ve spent more than my fair share of time on a grill in the past. It’s actually kind of relaxing, in a way. The faintest hint of a smile appeared on his face as he continued. Up until now, I’ve felt like a third arm on this outing. Now I can help out. Thank you, sir.

You’re welcome, Alan said warmly. He then turned to Terri, who had moved up to stand directly beside Lester. And thank you, Terri, for giving Lester a hand.

"Ja, ja, ja!" Terri immediately responded in a bad Swedish accent, doing her best to frame her face in the form of a gigglesnort airhead.

Jennifer’s eyes narrowed. All right, Terri, that’s enough of that, she said evenly.

Terri turned to her mother and grinned overly broadly. But this is my part, Mom! she exclaimed. Remember?! I’m the drop-dead gorgeous chick who gets stuck with the crazy old man. Lester harrumphed loudly but kept tending the grill. Besides, Terri continued, if Brandy can hook up with an older man, then I can hook up with an even older one!

At that, Lester dropped the tongs. He turned just in time to get an armful of bikini-clad Terri pressing up against him and wrapping her arms around him. Isn’t that right, my glorious Greek god of geriatric goodness? Terri purred.

Alan looked shocked. Jodie looked horrified. Jennifer looked disgusted. As Lester, he took one look at the giddily grinning Terri’s face close to his own then wrenched away from her and ran for it.

The others were still on the beach when they heard Lester yell. They looked up at the beach house and were surprised to see Lester running away down the beach past them at full speed, looking as if he had a wildcat chasing him. Wildcat indeed! Hot on his heels was Terri. She called to him as Lester ran, and she pursued. Oh, dah-l-l-l-ling! Yoo-hoo! Don’t run away from me, dah-ling! Come back, dah-ling! She soon disappeared down the beach, with Lester ahead of her and still maintaining the distance as best as he could. By this time, Alan, Jodie, and Jennifer had come down from the beach house, and they stood with the others as they watched Lester and Terri run away even as Eric finished helping Laura onto his back and standing up with her.

Oh, God…, Brandy mumbled. She was too embarrassed to say anything else, as her hand went to her forehead in a classic facepalm.

What’s goin’ on? a confused Larry asked.

Jennifer, who was standing beside him, crossed her arms and gave him a sidewise knowing look. You don’t want to know, she said.

Twenty bucks says she catches him! Ted exclaimed.

You’re on! Kimmy snappily replied.

Everyone fell silent for a bit longer, looking down the beach to where the fleeing Lester and pursuing Terri had disappeared, until Jodie cleared her throat. Hey, guys? she said cheerfully. I’ve got a suggestion. Let these two frolic all they want while we go eat. Dinner’s ready, and it’s going to get cold if we stay down here. How ’bout it?

Everyone looked at one another. With murmured assents, they turned as one and headed back for the beach house.

One might almost imagine hearing the classic Ren & Stimpy track Screw on the Loose playing in the background or perhaps even Yakety Sax by Boots Randolph for those with fond memories of The Benny Hill Show, as Terri relentlessly chased Lester down the beach. She was younger and fitter; he was older and out of shape. She was beginning to close the distance fairly fast. Run! Run! Make those legs whirl! she yelled at him. I can catch you ’cause I’m the gingerbread girl!

Go away! Lester cried back as loud as he could. His breath was coming out in gasps, and his legs felt like rubber beneath him. Most other men in Lester’s predicament would have stopped and put an end to the chase right away, given the fact that they were being chased by a beautiful blonde wearing next to nothing, but not Lester. He was horrified by the fix he was in and determined to get out of it any way he could. This isn’t happening! he thought to himself as he ran. Got to…got to…keep…going…! Ah, but if only he could. He could not, and as his weary legs flagged, the distance between him and Terri kept getting shorter and shorter.

Terri chuckled to herself. One more burst of speed ought to do it, she thought to herself. She suddenly committed the reserve of strength she had been saving for this moment and sprinted forward and then jumped. Gotcha! she cried as she snagged her prey. She timed it perfectly and tackled Lester by the thighs, gripping them tightly between her arms and pulling him down. The two of them fell forward and then rolled behind a grouping of large boulders near the surf line, both out of view of any would-be onlookers. They would have still heard the voices of the pair coming from behind those rocks, however, and it would have sounded like this:

"Miss Ames, please! Wait! What are you do… Don’t do that!"

(There was a sound of a pair of pants being unzipped.)

"A lot of men would kill to be in your shoes right now, Mr. Dent, so shut up and… Oh…my…gawd! That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen! Well, like the game says, I’ll definitely be examining this!"

The hell you will!

There was a rustling sound, and then Lester reappeared, holding up his pants and rezipping them even as he started running again. Feet, don’t fail me now! he cried even as he finished with his pants and picked up speed, having somehow tapped a new reserve of strength from somewhere. He continued to run away even as he continued to yell. It’s a madhouse! a madhouse!

Terri popped up from behind the rocks. She leaned forward, resting her arms on the boulder before her, and watched Lester run away. A pleasant sigh escaped her lips at the sight she had just seen, and then she chuckled. He may not look like Alan, she mused aloud, "but, God! He’s like that old comedian, you know? Who would have thought such a little old guy would have been that well equipped?" She again sighed pleasantly then slowly got up and began to skip down the beach in the wake of her would-be quarry.

Later that afternoon, Alan took everyone to one of his favorite beachside haunts whenever he had come to visit the family beach house in years past. The Adventurer’s Club was but a short drive away by coastal road and just under an hour or so simply by following the beach in the other direction from where Terri and Lester were presumably still playing their game of cat-and-mouse with each other. It was a swank affair, both inspired by and partially modeled on the former tourist attraction at Disney World in Florida and following the same 1930s era overseas adventurer motif. It even duplicated the inscribed plaque mounted by the front door of the original so all its visitors could see it.

Ye who crave danger and snicker at fear

Will find most agreeable company here

Thrill seekers, nomads, high flyers and low

Rovers, explorers, and getters of go

From every far corner, you’ll meet at this hub

The world is your oyster, the pearl is this club!

Tonight!

All the same, this variation on the original Adventurer’s Club had a number of unique attractions of its own. The restored vintage Grumman Goose seaplane parked at the nearby dock, repainted as a replica of the one named Cutter’s Goose from the old Tales of the Gold Monkey television show, was one of those. So, too, was the period-proper blue-and-silver Mercedes Benz racing car parked behind a set of protective bollards not far from the front doors. Both were fully functional per the whims and bankbook of the man who owned the place. He was an old friend of Alan, and he had invited Alan and his friends to his club as soon as he had heard Alan was back in town.

The soothing, melodious sounds of Hank Snow’s rendition of Song of India were playing softly over the club’s sound system as one of the club staff ushered them into the Mask Room. It was a feature borrowed from the original Adventurer’s Club, and it was called the Mask Room because of the wide-ranging assortment of masks of all kinds, cultures, and styles hanging on its walls. The staffer showed them to some seats, helped Eric getting Laura out of her wheelchair and into one of the room’s cushioned chairs, and then left on other business. Another staff member came in and saw to their needs with regards to drinks and then left after that was done.

Thanks for bringin’ all of us here, Alan, Larry said, an’ payin’ for our drinks!

You’re welcome, Alan replied with a smile.

This club, Larry continued, "it’s…well…it’s awesome! Makes me feel like I’m back in an ol’ timey movin’ picture! Who runs it, and how’d he get started?"

That would be Pat, Alan said then chuckled before continuing. It’s quite a story as to how I first met him, so I’ll save that for later. Let’s just say he’s an English fellow, who’s been to a lot of places and done a lot of things before age finally caught up with him. These days, he describes himself as semiretired, and setting up this club was a sort of present both to himself and everyone else. He’ll be by shortly to visit us. He happens to be here this week on club business, so I’ve asked him to drop by and visit with us. The sound of approaching footsteps caught Alan’s ear, and he turned to look at the doorway. Here he comes now. Hi, Pat.

Hello, Alan, came the reply in a beautiful baritone of a formal British English accent as a bald man of advanced years but still obviously strong and vital in both mind and body walked into the Mask Room and stopped in front of Alan and Jodie.

Jaws dropped, and eyes bugged out. Everyone in Alan’s party, except Alan himself, found themselves struck speechless. They recognized Alan’s friend immediately, as he was one of the most famous actors both on stage and screen of his time, and they could almost hear the sounds of the theme from Masterpiece Theatre playing, given the august presence of the man who was now with them. Pat was not his full name but only the short form of his first name, Patrick, as Alan had deliberately obscured his friend’s true identity until the last possible moment. Both he and Pat were enjoying the looks of amazement on everyone else’s faces in the Mask Room now that the secret was revealed.

It was Pat who finally broke the silence. He offered his hand to Alan, who stood up and took it. Good to see you again, old friend, he said, the room resonating again with the warmth of that beloved British baritone voice of his.

You too, Pat, Alan replied warmly. They shook hands, and then Alan let go and resumed his seat.

Pat swept his gaze around the room, taking in the rest of Alan’s group. And these must be your young friends from Middleton. He held up both hands in a gesture of greeting and made a slight formal bow. Welcome, all of you. Welcome to my humble little club.

As everyone else was still struck speechless, Alan spoke for them. Thanks for letting us use the Mask Room, Pat.

My pleasure, young man, Pat warmly replied, redirecting his gaze to Alan. I know you, so you and your friends make yourselves at home. You are welcome here at any time during your stay on the coast.

Larry, Brandy, and her mother, Jennifer, were still struck speechless. Quit staring, Kimmy, Ted heard himself say quietly as from a long distance away, his wide-eyed gaze still fixed on Alan’s friend Pat.

I’m not staring, Kimmy managed to mumble. She, too, couldn’t take her eyes off Pat. I’m gawking.

Eric and Laura were likewise in the same fix. Can you beat that? Eric half-whispered to his wife.

Not with a stick! Laura half-whispered back, her own wide-eyed gaze never leaving Pat as she spoke.

*****

The sun had set long ago. The sky above the coast had turned a rich shade of purple and getting darker all the time, as the last vestiges of sunset disappeared in the west. It was a beautiful sight; however, there was one man who was in no position or mood to enjoy it. He was Lester Dent, he was currently perched as high as he could get in the branches of the first tall tree he had been able to climb in a hurry, and he was currently peeping between the leaves of the branches in front of him as he watched a lone bikini-clad young woman move up and down the beach in search of him. It was a ridiculous position to be in, especially for someone his age, yet he was in it. He shivered, more in dread than anything else, and did his best to remain silent and to move as little as possible lest he clue the young woman in as to where he was. If this had been a movie or TV show, Lester thought, then he knew the right song for it. He couldn’t remember the name—something about a bird that stole stuff—but it would have been the perfect tune for his particular trial.

I should have stayed home and took the chance on getting fired, Lester mused from his perch. I never dreamed that this vacation was going to get so wacky so fast! Not even Evelyn chased me like this! She’s young and pretty too. If only…no, no, no! I can’t. Not for Evelyn’s sake—

Dah-ling!

Lester’s musing was interrupted by Terri’s call. She had her back to the tree he was in, and he could see her clearly as she stood on the beach and called in a half-playful, half-pleading voice. Come out, come out, wherever you are! You can’t hide from me forever, darling! It’s late. It’s starting to get cold, and baby needs your love to keep her warm! Every inch of it!

Lester gulped hard. Why do I get the feeling I’m going to be in this tree all night? he thought to himself.

*****

Back at the Adventurer’s Club, Pat was visiting with Alan’s group. That’s why I named it the Adventurer’s Club and patterned it on the original, he was telling them. It was a great place, and I hated to see it go. Normal people need places like that, you see, which is why I’ve recreated it in part, plus adding a few things of my own from my own experiences. A faraway look came into Pat’s eyes with his next words. A place like this is for everyone who can’t experience the world as we have, Alan. A place where they can sample what real adventures can bring you, both memories and mementos. Too many people prefer the sedateness of living an ordinary life, but among their ranks are a handful yearning to be different. Perhaps my club will be among those places they can go to get a small taste of what else the world has to offer and perhaps to even yearn to experience what else is out there. He paused then smiled and laughed softly. Forgive me, my friends. Pay no heed to the ramblings of an old man along in his years.

No, it was wonderful, Jodie said, and the others nodded in agreement. You’ve lived such a full life, sir. It’s so nice of you to do something like this in order to enable others to kickstart their own dreams and such.

Perhaps, Pat said with a smile. He then put his hands on his knees and stood up all in one fluid motion. Well, I’d better get back to work. It’s been a pleasure to see you again, Alan, and to visit with your friends.

The pleasure’s all mine, Alan said, flashing his own smile in return, and I’m sure it’s theirs too.

Excuse me, sir, Brandy said. She was