“Like, thanks for the beer,” 16-year-old Kellie said to Jake, who was 26-going-on-25. “I couldn’t get one earlier. The dude totally saw through my fake.”
“That’s lame,” Jake said. “I’d have bought you brews if I had known you before then.”
“Even though I’m just a kid?” Kellie said with a laugh, nudging him.
“You’re not that young, you’re only 9 years younger than me,” Jake said.
Over at the umbrellas, 36-year-old Robert, 35-year-old Jim and Susan, and 34-year-old Andie continued to talk about Andie’s upcoming birthday.
“Have you ever gone on a booze cruise?” Susan asked. “They are fun. We went last year – and got a little firsky in the bathroom!”
“Sue!” Jim exclaimed. “Some stuff is private, don’t you think?”
“Oh don’t be such a granddad, Jimbo,” Andie said. “Good for you for showing some adventure. I can’t get this one” – she pointed toward Robert – “Off his Kindle half the time. He’s like a child with a toy!”
“Come on now, Andie,” Susan said, “What do YOU want to do for your big 3-2?”
A few feet over, 19-year-old Katie was feeling more and more at ease with the 46-year-old women surrounding her. It was like she had known them for years. Mary Elyse and her friends were a hoot.
“So we’ve all known each other since high school,” said a skinny blonde woman named Claudia. “It’s really great to have a good support group.”
“I wouldn’t know,” Katie said. “I feel like I haven’t seen my friends in years. Like, I take care of my sister a lot, so I feel like I had to grow up really fast.”
“Well you know what?” Mary Elyse said as she adjusted her looser swimsuit. “Today is a day to act and feel young.”
“Well, I’m only 20, but I feel so old sometimes,” Katie said.”
“Well, we’re all 43,” Claudia said. But age is just a number!”
At the fishing pole, 15-year-old Kellie was feeling a little uncomfortable. She was unconsciously playing with her shoulder-length, honey-colored hair; grimacing with each sip of beer – she had never had one before – and didn’t like that her bikini bottoms felt so loose.
“Hey, I’ve got a Frisbee in my bag!” 23-year-old Jake said. “Wanna play?”
“Um, I dunno if I should,” Kellie said. “My suit feels weird.”
“Oh, c’mon, it’ll be fun!” 22-year-old Jake said. “I’ll get you another beer if you want!” Jake had an ulterior motive – he noticed he could see most of the 15-year-old’s boobs in the loose top, so he wanted to get her to run around. After all, horny boys will be boys!
“Nah, I’m, um, still good on this beer,” she said, while thinking to herself “yuck!”
At the umbrellas, the couples had moved off the beach chairs and onto the blanket. The ladies were snuggling up to their men, although Robert still had his nose buried in the Kindle.
“Look at those kids playing Frisbee,” 31-year-old Susan said to her husband, as she nibbled on his ear. “We can play some games too if you want.”
“You know we will tonight,” Jim replied, sneaking a quick look at the 20-year-old over with the group of women who looked near 40 to him.
“Bobby! Put the frickin’ Kindle down and put some lotion on me!” exclaimed 30-year-old Andie. “I can feel myself burning!”
“Fine, fine, sorry,” Robert said.
“Don’t worry about it Robert, I’ve got it,” Susan said. As she leaned over Andie, her boobs almost fell out of her too big swimsuit. “Why am I wearing this?” she thought.
“So, Andie,” Susan said as she rubbed the lotion in, “What do you want to do for the big 3-0?”
Over at the other blanket, 20-year-old Katie was finally feeling relaxed with her 40-year-old friends.
“Hey Katie,” Claudia said, “We have margaritas in the cooler. Want one? You are almost 21 after all.”
“Sure, why not,” Katie replied. She was loving this beach day.
And once again, the damaged ring glowed.