You Had To Be There

Saturday: Saturday morning, I met Mom and Grandma down town for a Ladies Day. We surprised Grandma with a ring for her birthday. One even I, an apathetic jewelry wearer, could appreciate. The stones were African Orange Sapphires:

Isn't it beautiful?

Grandma paraded it through town, waving her hand around in unnecessary gestures, hoping that someone would take notice. After lunch Hoop suggested we drive to Daytona. I was hesitant at first, considering our luck with traveling lately. Every time we try, something unfortunate happens. Luckily, the only unfortunate "happening" this time was that we didn't want to drive back home. It was 8 o'clock when we got there, witching hour for the locals and tourists. A concert was in full swing on the beach. Everyone was sipping Mai Tais, waiting for the fireworks. Hoop and I grabbed a drink and hovered in the doorway of the bar, looking for a seat. If Captain Charles and his lady Stacy hadn't called us over, we might have finished our drinks and left. Instead, we stayed on until one, long after the tourists and more sensible locals had disappeared.

Three rounds in, tongues began to loosen. There were boasts and brags and strange confessions. I vaguely remember Hoop telling them that I dance whenever dessert is made. They begged to see my "Cupcake Dance." Heavy headed, I thought about it. But somewhere in the back of my head, a little voice yelled through the rum cloud. "Not without dessert first!" A girl has to have standards, you know? The Captain professed to be a Green Beret. It seems laughable now. The guy was the same size as me! His girlfriend Stacy was stolen goods, snatched from a two year relationship barely six months before. She flashed us her diamond ring as the Captain asked if we were married. "Not yet," Hoop replied. That got an eyebrow raise out of me.

By the end of the night, the Captain was inviting us back to his boat. "It has three beds and two baths!" Which made my head swim for a moment. Who the hell had we been drinking with, royalty? Hoop and I declined the offer, despite Captain's adamant insistence that we come along. I don't fare well on boats. Boats don't like me. I can't imagine one taking pity on me simply because I'm drunk and trying to sleep. Instead of the spinning sensation I normally get when intoxicated, this room would ACTUALLY be spinning. So Hoop and I said our good-byes, traded numbers, and headed for the beach. Later that morning, once sobered, we made our way back to the car. On the way out we were approached by a wayward crab and a drug dealer.

Hoop had just picked the crab off the street when the dealer came by and ruined our photo op. Somehow in the confusion, Hoop dropped the crab and there was much discussion afterward whether the poor crustacean had lost an eyeball. There we were, (Hoop, the drug dealer, and me) on our knees, trying to find the crab's missing eye. Apparently it hadn't been lost at all, simply misplaced. We all had a good laugh and parted ways. The drug dealer pausing for a moment to wave and call Hoop by name, a mystery I later unraveled when I realized I had been yelling, "Is it blind, Hoop? Is it blind?" several times after the accident. On the way home, Sunday's hangover began, splitting my head with the pounding of drums. But it was worth it. If you're ever bored or in need of an adventure, I recommend Daytona.

Sunday: Hoop and I did absolutely NOTHING. That's what we get for having too much fun the day/night before.

Monday: In the mornings I'm usually oblivious to everything but the road and my radio. But this morning, I happened to turn my head and catch the most amazing sight... A field of sunflowers. The moment felt like it went on forever. I couldn't help but feel optimistic about the day. It was as if those flowers had been planted for me.

How was your weekend?