Dangerous Moonlight Chapter 7

Dangerous Moonlight Chapter 7: Teaser

September 4, 1990

And of course he wasn’t there the next morning.

“Should have known,” Michele murmured to herself as tossed her terrycloth robe onto one of the deckchairs and slipped into the water, choosing the center lane as usual. She started to swim.

She’d been conflicted, both hoping he’d be there and hoping he’d not be there. And so now she was both disappointed, and kind of hurt, as well as relieved.

“Jesus, kid, get a grip,” she told herself as she swam. “You’re acting like such a schoolgirl. And for how many years were you feeling all superior over all those girls at school who spent their time mooning over boys instead of getting on with their lives?”

She’d never felt sexually interested in any of the boys in her high school, from sophomore right up until senior. She preferred “older” men, like Captain Kirk from that old TV show, Star Trek, or Richard Boone from Have Gun Will Travel, or Mike Nelson from Seahunt, shows she’d used to watch with her parents when she was growing up. (Thank heavens for TVLand reruns.)

She had had a crush on one of her English teachers….after learning that in the summer months he was a smoke jumper.

And that had given her her clue. She was attracted to action-oriented guys. Not necessarily the most handsome guys on the block, but the ones who were out there living their lives, being heroes, already mature, and not learning how to be mature.

So why had she been so suddenly attracted to Robert Wade? He was the right age, early thirties, but she’d never seen any of his movies. Still, he did sort of resemble William Shatner….same square face, same high cheekbones, same muscular body (at least during his Captain Kirk days!)…

Well, it didn’t matter, he wasn’t coming.

And it was time for her to stop playing this stupid game anyway. She’d allowed herself to get excited, she’d done a little fantasizing, but really, did she want to give away her virginity to a one-night stand on a cruise ship? Even with a handsome actor? No, this was probably all for the best.

She was wearing a red one-piece. She’d intended to bring only one swimsuit, her blue one, but Alice had supervised her wardrobe and advised her to pick up a couple more. “When you’re swimming at your local pool, you can wear the same suit every day. But when you’re on a cruise, you should have a change of suits. Just as you’ve got to have a different set of clothing for each day.”

“My suitcases will weigh a ton!”

“They’ve got porters!”

So she’d picked up a white suit and a red one, to have a patriotic theme. And she’d decided to wear the red suit today, because while blue was her favorite color, red had always been her lucky color.

“So much for luck,” she thought.

She sped up the speed of her laps.

“Well, maybe it was luck,” she thought after a few more laps. “After all, actors…”

Her mind drifted into other channels…. her sister and mom wanted her to come in on the family business of travel and travel writing….and that would certainly fulfill her dream of spending her life traveling….her dad wanted her to go into the Air Force. She wouldn’t have minded being a pilot, but although her eyesight wasn’t that bad it wasn’t good enough to be a pilot…

Michele completed her twenty-fifth lap and decided that was enough for the morning. She had places to go, things to do.

She levered herself out of the pool and, plucking up her robe, headed for the women’s locker room to take a shower.

“Hey!”

She turned around, and her heart gave a little leap. He’d just come out of the men’s locker room.

“Hi,” she said. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

“I got held up. Had to talk to my agent.”

“Oh….good news, I hope.”

He shrugged. “Promising news, anyway. In this business you learn not to get your hopes up until the producer’s signature is on the contract.”

She was now well educated on Robert Wade’s career, after visiting a few message boards that gossiped about actors. He’d guest-starred on a few popular TV series, and been the side-kick in two moderately successful movies, and there was an unconfirmed rumor going around that he was supposed to be the star in a planned remake of a movie called The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

“You’re up for a role in ….Creature From the Black Lagoon, right?”

“Yes,” he said, his face brightening. “How did you know?”

“Oh, I have my sources.”

“That’s why I’m working hard on my swimming,” he continued, gesturing toward the pool. “I’ll be spending practically the whole movie underwater, if things work out right.”

“I hope they do,” she said.

“Thanks.” He glanced at her dripping form. “You’ve finished your laps already, then?”

“Yes. I’ve got places to go…”

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then, okay?”

“Sure,” said Michele. “I’ll be here.”

He nodded to her and then turning, took a few steps and dove into the pool.

Michele found the privacy of the women’s locker room, where she allowed herself to giggle uncontrollably for a minute or so before sternly telling herself to get a grip.

She’d have much to dream about tonight…and who knew what would happen tomorrow?