Regina woke to the sound of a car horn honking and remembered the boy who took her home the night before. Getting dressed and rushing out to meet the boy, Regina hopped into the car as they drove back to the beach to retrieve Regina’s car so she could head to work.

“So, you always come a damsel in distress?” Regina said to break the ice between them.

The boy continued to drive making no reply.

“Okay. He’s the silent type?” Regina said to herself.

Finally, after several minutes, the boy finally spoke, “It’s Jaden.”

“Well, Jaden, it’s nice to meet you.”

Regina and Jaden talked until they reached the beach and Regina hopped out and drove off before Jaden could say another word. Regina was late and had to get to work as her boss was a stickler for tardiness.

Regina got back to her VW Bug, flung her bag inside and got inside and started the ignition. When she looked into the rear-view mirror, she put the Bug in park, but before driving off, she noticed a bag in the back seat and reached to see what was inside

“I wonder where this came from?” Regina said to herself as she pulled out her favorite Strawberry wine from the bag.

Putting it in her bag, she drove off to work, unaware that she was being followed.

Regina came home from work to an empty house and a note from her mother telling her that she had to go into the office and would be home late, her sister, Kaidence, would be working late and then a late date with her boyfriend, Jenkins, and her father left for a week on his business trip.

After reading the note, Regina walked into the kitchen to find that her mother had left her favorite casserole, Chicken Divan, in the refrigerator. After eating the cold casserole, because Regina didn’t feel like warming it up, Regina went up to her room and lay on her bed. She picked up the novel she was reading, “Little Women,” her favorite and turned to the page she bookmarked, and began reading. But within minutes, Regina was fast asleep.

The next morning, Regina woke to find Kaidence had finally come home, but she was sleeping after her late night, but her mother had not arrived. Dialing her mother’s cell, a man’s voice picked up:

“Hello?” the voice answered.

“Yes, I was calling Robyn Crimson?”

“Just a moment.” The voice told her, handing the cell to Regina’s mother.

“Mom, are you still at work?”

“Yes, honey.” Regina’s mother covered as she looked at her supervisor and lover. “I was tired after working so late, so I just crashed on my desk.”

“Oh, OK.” Regina replied. “Well, I have plans at the beach today, so I won’t be home after work.”

“OK, honey. Have fun.” Regina’s mother said, hanging up and kissing her supervisor, Tom.

Kaidence was sleeping, so Regina left for work. She seemed to be alone a lot. So some time on the beach was what Regina was looking forward to after work. That, and some strawberry wine that her mystery admirer left.

After a hard day’s work, Regina drove to the beach. After arriving at the beach, Regina grabbed her bag and walked to her favorite spot. But she was surprised to see Jaden there too.

“Hello.” Jaden greeted her as he extended a hand and helped her sit down on the blanket that was spread out on the sand.

“I didn’t expect you to be here?” Regina said surprised.

“Well, it’s my favorite spot to come to after work.” Jaden mused, noticing that it was Regina’s also.

“Well, let’s add it to our picnic.” Jaden suggested. “Besides, after that swim, I’m famished.”

Regina spent time with Jaden as they talked on the beach. It was late before Regina said she had to get home for some sleep as she had an early morning.

“Well, I’m sorry to see this night end.” Jaden said. “But we will have more times together.”

“Yes. It was nice to talk with you.” Regina said as Jaden walked Regina to her car.

Regina was having a wonderful time with Jaden, but as soon as Regina got in her car, she noticed a missed call from her boyfriend, Parker, who had managed to get to a phone and surprise her.

“I’m sorry; Jaden, but I must get this.” Regina apologized when she noticed the call. “Parker, what a surprise?”

“Hey, babe, I was able to get a phone and give you a call.” Parker said. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” Regina said.

“I miss you so badly.” Parker told her.

“I miss you too.”

“Well, I have to go, sweetheart. I just wanted to give you a call and tell you I love you.” Parker told her before hanging up.

“I lo-----“ Regina started to say, but the call went dead.

After being abruptly cut off, Regina put her car in drive and drove to work.