Chapter 4C

Chris shrugged and told her “Well we seem to have run out of ways we can try to get you home at the moment, so I figured it would help to relax for a bit so we can think of something else after having some fun for a while”

Minerva tilted her head and pondered that for a moment then commented “That’s probably true and you still haven’t given me all the reasons you thought you had to bring me here. We should take some time out for that as well”

Chris headed the car down Ocean Street in direction of the beach where the entrance of the Boardwalk was. He pointed out the Giant Dipper roller coaster that was one of the best known landmarks in Santa Cruz. When they arrived they leaned on the railing next to the beach.

Chris turned to Minerva and announced, “This world isn’t just about people rushing around struggling to survive. It also has it’s beautiful spots also” He pointed out to the ocean “Some of them are how the expanse of the ocean stretches out to the infinity of the horizon, the soothing rhythm of the waves as they crash upon the shore and the harmony of nature as it blends life between the land and the sea.”

Minerva gasped in awe at the marvelous scenery with a blissful smile on her face “I see what you mean, I suppose it’s more of a mixture here than where I’m used to”

They walked down the boardwalk, trying out the some of the rides, like the Freefall, Typhoon and Space Race. Minerva was thrilled by the sensations. She shivered and exclaimed, “Maybe I spoke too soon when I told you that you didn’t know what it was like to soar with wings. This is pretty close to the feeling I get when I’m flying!”

Chris beamed with satisfaction that his idea seemed to be working and she looked like she was starting to relax. He declared, “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. Here is the Giant Dipper. It’s over a hundred years old, one of the few wooden roller coasters left in the country and very famous. They showed it the movies Sudden Impact and The Lost Boys.”

Drawn by her curiosity Minerva went over to the Water Race game and asked Chris “How does this work?”

Chris handed her the pistol attached to the hose and explained “You use this to shoot water into the clown’s mouth and the more you get in, the more it fills up the balloon. The first person to make the balloon pop wins a prize. Did you want to give it a try?”

Minerva nodded and bounced with girlish glee when she won. Chris was transfixed by how adorable her kittenish enthusiasm was. They played the Milk Bottles next and though she didn’t look that strong or athletic, she was able to knock down all three pyramids in a row.

The strain on probability started bothering Chris. He helped her carry all her prizes and told her “That’s quite a haul, I had no idea you were that lucky.”

Minerva winked and giggled as she hugged her stuffed toys. She claimed, “This is the first time I’ve been allowed to do anything for myself instead of for others. Thank you so much for this opportunity!”

When they tried the Dime Toss, Chris knew it was something more than skill or luck. He plainly saw one of the dimes slide off the plate and then hop back on, although he doubted anyone else did. After they had collected their winnings, he figured out the best possible conclusion for what was happening. He expressed his speculation to her, “It looks like to me that even though you lost your wings and halo that you still have at least some of your powers. There is nothing else but Angelic Influence that can account for your winning streak. Dimes don’t just hop back onto plates by themselves.”

Minerva considered this and frowned She asked woefully, “I didn’t know I was using them at all. If I was, how does that help me get in touch with Odin?”

Chris pondered this as they walked by throngs of people. He ventured an opinion, “Maybe you’re doing it subconsciously and just need to find other ways of tapping into them than you’re used to. It might just take a little practice in getting hang of the new ways.” Chris could see by her body language that Minerva needed more distractions so he suggested, “How about we go to the concert they’re having on the beach? The Drifters are singing and the vibrations from the music reach right down into the sand where you can feel them.”

Minerva brightened a little at the thought and followed him down to the bandstand on the shoreline. She swayed in time to the music and inquired, “So are you ever going to go into the details of why you had to go to all the effort to bring me here?”

The rhythm of the song Under the Boardwalk pulsed through the sand where they sat, sending soothing waves that washed away cares, through them. Chris gazed into Minerva’s luminous blue eyes and saw the compassion evident in them. That helped him summon up the courage to dredge up such a personal and painful subject. He said shyly, “I’ve never fit in very well with other people, I guess I never got the hang of knowing how to behave in groups. I wasn’t any good at sports, instead I used to play Dungeons and Dragons as a half elf ranger character called Argon. It gets very lonely with no one around that wants to share the same interests you do.”

Minerva clapped her hands to the beat of the music and looked bewildered. She asked innocently “Why would that make other people not like you? I met a knight named Argon just before you brought me here. He seemed very romantic and honorable to me. Maybe it was the kind of people that you were trying to associate with that was the problem?”

An incandescent glow shined off of Minerva’s golden hair that enhanced her numinous qualities and her kind words gave Chris the strength to go on. He commented, “That’s possible, but it all depends on the social group you’re in on what is normal, and I was a bald gorilla. So I dreamt of attracting someone that would be compatible with me and want to share my life with me. I guess my big mistake was thinking I could create my fantasy out of nothing and expect the reality to live up to my whims without respecting her free will to make her own choices”

Chris was so ashamed at his failure and afraid of showing his vulnerability that he got up and walked down the beach to the mouth of the San Lorenzo River. He stared out at the houses on the hills of Capitola and wondered how he could have ever been so crazy to think that his fantasy would ever work out.

Soft strains of the music could still be heard wafting down the beach from the concert as the Drifters started their hit This Magic Moment. Minerva walked up behind him. She was glittering with little sparkles of light as her shapely curves moved to stand beside him. She put her hand on his shoulder and whispered gently, “It’s alright, I forgive you for what you did, since I don’t think you ever intended to selfishly enslave someone. You only wanted to get a chance at happiness in any way you could.”

Chris felt the waves of compassion radiate from her and was amazed at the way she could affect the ambiance apparently without even trying. He told her “That’s very nice of you to say, you seem to be a natural at being a Guardian Angel and comforting people that have problems. I just hope we’ll be able to get you back where you belong.”

Minerva bowed her head and looked sheepish. She said timidly “I appreciate the compliment, but I still have a lot to learn about the job. Most of my experience has been as a servant catering to others physical needs. You’re the first person I’ve ever met that has been concerned about my needs, that’s why I think you meant well, even if you just didn’t think it through all the way.”

All of a sudden, Chris and Minerva heard some whistles and catcalls from a group of young guys approaching, one of them leered and called out “Hey babe, wanna get LUCKY!?” another sneered and taunted “Are you free tonight or will it cost me?”

Chris shook his head sadly and told Minerva “It’s always some in every crowd that don’t know how to behave with any respect. I’m sorry that you had to see the dregs when we were having such a great time.”

The leader swaggered up to Minerva and asked her “Do you spit or swallow?” Then he kicked sand at Chris and said “Ditch this loser and let’s go get busy! Should we use your face or MINE!?”

Minerva shuddered with revulsion and exclaimed “Ewww! You are the nastiest person I’ve ever experienced!”

Which didn’t deter the delinquent at all, he kicked sand at them again and assumed a defiant stance. He pleaded, “C’mon bitch, what do I have to do to be your booty call?”

Chris stepped up in front of Minerva and raised his hands. He demanded, “Let it go and get a clue! What is this, an old Charles Atlas commercial with the sand? Leave us alone and go prove you’re Alpha Male to your dog pack somewhere else!”

As the whole gang of thugs surrounded them, the leader snarled, “You’re gonna wish you never heard of us when we rip your balls off, dude!”

Minerva screamed in terror as the hoodlums lunged at them. She waved her arms in defense and a flash of light spread over the ruffians. They stopped in their tracks and fell over unconscious. She stood there shivering in shock while Chris put his arms around her and stroked her lustrous hair to comfort her.

Chris tried to convey his sympathy for her. “I guess you still have a lot to learn to be able to handle less evolved people. But at least your instincts are still good, since you were able to tap into your powers in a crisis. Don’t worry, I’ll try to help you through it while you’re learning new ways to use them.”

Hope filled Minerva’s eyes and she whispered softly “Do you really think you can do that? I’d be so grateful if you could.”

Chris hugged her close then lead her away from the fallen hooligans so they wouldn’t be connected to what happened to them. He assured her, “Really, really. I think I can, I have some ideas and I’ve studied some techniques.”

The concert wound down to close and the Drifters left the stage to thunderous applause. Chris didn’t want to lose the mood, so he suggested, “It’s hard to dance on the sand, did you want to go to the Cocoanut Grove at the base of the pier?”

Minerva did a little curtsy, and waved her arm expansively. With an impish grin, she replied, “Why thank you kind sir, I’d be delighted to attend.”

As they entered the main ballroom the mirror ball spinning above them shone multicolored patterns over the whole place. Minerva gasped in wonder at the harmony of all the people moving in rhythm to the beat of the music. She moved down the steps to the dance floor like iron filings attracted to a magnet. Minerva smiled and held out her hand for Chris to join her. They slid into each other’s arm and started strolling.

Minerva blushed as she confided, “That was a very brave thing you did standing up to the awful people. I never would have imagined the wide variety of the good and evil in the way people behave or the beauty and ugliness of this place. I’m glad to have the assistance of such an adept magician to guide me through this.”

Chris flushed with embarrassment of her flattery. He stammered awkwardly, “Well it’s hardly magical, but I do have some experience with the people in this society so I know how to deal with it sometimes.”

Barely avoiding colliding with another couple, Minerva pulled Chris upright and scolded him, “You may be an expert in many things, but you have a lot to learn about how to dance properly. It’s a lot more than draping yourself around a woman’s shoulder and shuffling your feet.”

Chris bowed his head in ignominy and said sheepishly “It’s a lot harder than it looks on TV to do it right, but I’m doing pretty good for someone with two left feet aren’t I?”

Minerva patted Chris on the shoulder and told him “There, there, it’s not so bad. I suppose I’m just going to have to show you how to improve.”

Up on the stage, The Jeff Healey Band finished the warm up set and started playing the big hit Angel Eyes. Minerva began to instruct Chris in how to do the Foxtrot correctly. With such a capable teacher, Chris caught on quickly.

At the end of the dance Chris looked at his watch and saw that it was getting late. He hated to have such a fabulous night end, but Minerva looked she was getting tired. He announced, “It’s too late to drive back tonight, so we had better stay at the Days Inn Motel down the street.”