“Here comes that man again.” Linda Sue shouted to Heather.
“I didn’t know he was coming so early. I thought we were just going out for dinner. I’m not ready.” She called back.
“Too bad.” The tall handsome man came into her studio. Looking around at the many half completed paintings, he stated. “It’s time for lunch and I just heard about this unusual place. It’s so unusual, I can hardly believe it. So I couldn’t wait. We got to go.”
“I’m a mess. I didn’t expect you. How casual is it?” Heather took off her well-painted smock disclosing a pretty blue print blouse over a pair of blue slacks.
“Very very casual and you look perfect. Let’s go. Okay with you, lovely lady?” he looked in Linda Sue’s direction.
“Go, go,” she shewed them out the door.
As they approached the nearby freeway, Heather asked where they were going.
“I don’t know as I can describe it. There are two places someone at the campground told me about. I just had to find out for myself. So in case, he was pulling my leg, let’s not talk about it until I see for myself.”
“Fine. What shall we talk about?”
“The weather. Where we are going to eat tonight? The scenery. It’s not all that far. In SLO.”
They were just driving past Avila Beach exit. “Do you know there is a natural hot springs over there?” he asked as he gestured.
“I have heard about it. Have you gone in, yet?”
“No, but that is something to try.”
“I know. Why don’t’ we go to the Madonna Inn for dinner tonight?”
“Sounds good to me.”
“I’ve gone before and loved it. Have you?”
“No and before you ask, there are very few places I’ve gone to eat without being with you.”
“Fine. Here we are” He was driving down Higuera Street. Look to your left and watch for a cemetery.”
“A what?”
“A cemetery. That’s the first thing I want to see.”
“Sounds exciting. Oh, is that it?” Heather pointed.
Duncan turned in to his left and drove slowly through the old cemetery; then stopped. He pointed up the small hill. “Do you see that pyramid?”
“I couldn’t miss it. I don’t believe it. A pyramid here in the middle of town. Let’s go up and look at it.”
He took her hand as they walked up the slight hill. There was a tall pyramid.
“Look. The name on it is Dorn. The man at the campground told me that this guy built this pyramid to honor his wife and had planned to be buried here as well.”
“How sweet.”
“No, not really. He actually left the area and married again later. But it was a nice thing at the time.” They walked around the pyramid and then back to the truck.
“What is the other place?”
“It’s supposed to be right near here.”
They drove just a short distance and stopped in front of a building and a number of classic cars.
“Now, what is this? I thought we were going to lunch.”
“We are. Look. Isn’t this a beauty? He pointed to a red Corvette.
“Yes, it is gorgeous. You’re right. This is quite a car.”
They walked inside what was called Mc McCarthy’s Auto. It was like the inside of an old diner. Small red topped tables and matching high stools. A nice lady introduced herself and offered to take them to the food. Past an animated statue of Elvis, there was a large room.
On one side was a car in front of a drive in movie screen with a movie of Our Gang Comedies being played. Next to a series of collectibles including a Charlie Mc McCarthy figure was a counter where they were offered hot dogs and a coke. The lady explained that Mr. Mc McCarthy often held meetings in this unusual room and was great with local civic things. They walked around with hot dogs in hand and saw some of the exhibits. There was even an antique gas station with a figure of a man ready to pump up the gas into the cylinder to allow the gas to flow freely into a gas tank. Not very modern. Duncan took several photos and asked permission to put them in his articles.
Now, how's’ that for lunch, he asked as they left.
I’ve never seen anything like it.
“You know, he said as he helped her into the truck, “there could come a day when you would always be seeing something new every day. Life would never be dull if you were with me.”
He closed the door and walked around to the other side, giving Heather something to think about. What was he offering? Was this what he had begun when they were near Hearst Castle? Not yet, she thought. I have to make up my mind. I have to think.
“There is so much to see around here. I can’t wait until you see the paintings I have done of the Hearst Beach and the old hotel next to the Apple Farm Inn. Then there is the one of the pier at Pismo. It’s almost finished.”
“Really, so soon. I didn’t know you were a speed artist.”
“I’m not. I just didn’t have much to do while you were gone except paint.”
Duncan wished he could stop the truck right then and put his arms around her. She was beginning to warm up to him, to miss him. But, he knew she was still grieving for her lost love. He didn’t want to be her second choice, only a replacement love. That would never work. And, there were things he had to tell her first. Things that would have to wait just a little longer.
“Let’s go to the studio. I can’t wait to see these works of art.