After checking in so late, he'd taken most of the morning sleeping a little later, hot hot coffee, hot hot shower and extra close shave . .  cold-bloodily avoiding phones and messages. Jeans, white shirt and sports coat . . . Along the shoreline walkway was a good place to walk, with businesses just opening up on the other side, cars trying to parallel park and it was easy to have your thoughts to yourself and blend in, enjoy the cool breeze that kept the sun from being just a bit too warm.

There were few people on the Promenade and he was stopped briefly in front of the GAP, shook hands with an acquaintance, and was headed for the deli at the far end. It looked just like it did in the movie and he could sit where DeNiro did in the scene . . . remembering the menu, he was settled on his favorite already . . . Ruben and a beer . . . on tap . . . salt & vinegar chips. Early lunch and walking it off, that was the plan. As he approached the deli, ready to order . . . friends recognized him, surprised to see him, and pulled a chair out for him. He'd have something, and then excuse himself.

The server took his order and promptly bought the beer, deep deep golden in a tall heavy fluted glass. Sipping so he didn't have to talk, or explain . . . he's a detached observer to the conversation and they're explaining what's been happening with familiar friends in common . . . catching up. A woman sitting slightly behind him and to his right, reaches over and places her hand on his to get his attention. She's very beautiful and smiles, happy to see him. She runs her fingers over his affectionately, says nothing but holds his look and after a minute she excuses herself and walks out. He looks at his friends and asks if they saw her and what happened. They said they did and held their conversation, everyone smiling and looking at him.

He excuses himself and walks out on the Promenade. She is up ahead of him, people recognize him and stop briefly to say something, shake hands, and it slows him down from catching up to her. He looks ahead and sees she'd stopped, looking at a fashion window display, looked back at him and then continued walking. She slowed down and turned to him as he came up behind her. She stood close, smiled and took his hand and led him along the Promenade looking at the shops. Every so often, she would get close, walk with his arm around her and turn her head for a kiss . . . and giggle when he continued to hold the kiss.

"It's a lovely Piazza. Isn't it?"  She asked and stood close again to him, his arm around her. She stood on tiptoes and kissed him softly for a long moment, then kissed him again.

Walking in the shade of an awning she stopped and turned towards him. He raised his arms to hold her, she tilted her head, smiled a little and the look in her eyes had changed. She took his hands and held them between the two of them. He could look into her eyes and how beautiful she was, and they stood there for the longest time, then she looked past him. She let go of his hands, briefly looked at him, let out a long breath and walked past. A man was walking up behind them. She went, put her arms around him and kissed him as he embraced her. He had flowers for her, took her by the hand and walked across the Promenade to the curb where a limo and driver were waiting. The driver opened the door for her  . . . then drove away.

G.

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