Along the Waterfront

Hando was bored and walked along the waterfront ducking in and out of coffee shops and eateries picking up a bite to eat here and drink there. He elicited a lot of stares and people tended to move out of his way along the walk. He stopped and looked at the expensive yachts docked below. When he turned he was facing umbrella tables and he watched the people as they went about their business.

He was unaware he was being watched by a woman drinking a cappuccino at one of the tables. It was his unusual appearance that caught her eye. As his gaze moved over the tables he saw her and stared back. The look was bold and provocative and was not lost on Dr. Ursula Damon. She smiled slightly and answered a call on her cell phone. Hando waited until she finished her call and walked over and sat down.

"Did I invite you to sit?" she asked

"Did I ask?" he replied insolently

"Your manners are lacking," she said sipping her coffee.

"Maybe I don’t have any…maybe I need a teacher." He said not blinking.

"Is that what you think I am…a teacher?"

"I don’t know what you are…you’re a woman."

"Yes…I am. I’m trying to determine just what you are."

"I’m a man."

"A very young man."

"Not so young…not anymore."

"Really…what makes you a mature young man?"

"Experience…life…it ages you."

She laughed lightly, "yes I know." Taking a sip of her drink she studied his face…his eyes looked like he had perhaps experienced life…the most remarkable eyes."

"You’re not old…you’re beautiful."

"You’re very good…do you use that line often…does it usually work?"

"First time I ever used it…I don’t know whether it works or not."

"Are you trying?" she asked smiling.

"Are you buying?" he replied hands in pockets

"Depends…are you charging?"

"What the hell are we talking about…I’m not like that…that’s not what I am." He said angrily and started to get up.

"Wait…I’m sorry if I offended you…I have no way of knowing what you are."

Hando hesitated and sat back down.

"I’m not out here soliciting if that’s what you think." He said still offended.

"You’re what’s called a skinhead…not many of them around here."

"Yeah…that’s what I am." He didn’t say it with much conviction he wasn’t sure what he was anymore.

She was intrigued with this soft spoken aqua-eyed young man. "What do you do when you’re not um being a skinhead?"

He looked at her a moment, "I’m not doing anything right now…and you don’t go around being a skinhead…it’s something inside something you believe."

"Are you a Nazi?"

He lifted his chin, "yes…that’s what I believe."

"I see…I’ve never met anyone like you before. Why did you come over here?"

"You invited me."

"I didn’t."

"Yes you did…with your eyes. You were staring at me."

"I find you strangely attractive…what is your name?"

"Hando."

"Hando…it suits you…I’m Ursula Damon."

"Now that we’ve got that out of the way," he leaned across the little table, "you want me to shag you?"

Her eyes widened and a smile started across her face, "yes." She said.