As I sat on the deck of the open air bar last night, I closed my eyes and let the cool breeze of the Great Lake Ontario wash over me.
We have been waiting for this.
Everyone was. At this time last year, we were shivering in our cotton shirts, and the outdoor area wasn't even open. In fact, we didn't get to do this until Labor Day weekend, and by that time we didn't care if if it was only 75 degrees, at least it wasn't raining. Some of us had such a good time, we ended up dancing on the tables.
The place is a well known establishment, especially among the locals, of which now, I am one. Friday nights has a solo acoustic guitarist and singer who will sing any song you can throw at him, and adds his own two cents as well. He is outright obnoxious at times, but I suspect that is part of the act.
Request a song! he'll say from his makeshift stage in the corner of the outdoor area. He is several feet above the table and if one stood on the tables after eating, you would be eye to eye with him.
If I don't know it, I'll tell ya..... he says with bravado. .....and if I don't like it, I'll tell you I don't know it, so don't worry about it! and everyone laughs heartily. A well oiled routine, it sounds new every time he says it.
A tanned muscular fellow with a long brown ponytail, I guess his age to be between late thirties and early forties. He obviously works outside, perhaps in construction or a fisherman. It doesn't matter. It's obvious that he loves what hes doing, and he is very good at it.
The next night he is back, but with his backup band. A drum machine, another electric guitar player and he really take it to the next level. It's about ten o'clock when the place really starts rocking, and the table dancing begins.
But tonight I am content to sit and listen to him flirt with some pretty girls sitting at the front tables, his winking eyes big enough for every one to see. He is having the time of his life.
As are we. No words are spoken, but we know what it all means. July is coming, and that is when we met.
It is when we all came together at WOTL and deep friendships began to develop. It was in July that we he asked me to marry him and this third season of Julys that we will wed.
This is our third summer together I murmur as we raise our Coronas for a toast.
To Julys he says simply and kisses my cheek gently. I will be the one driving home tonight.
Someone has the same idea we did.
To summer! someone yells out and raises his beer high.
To summer! we answer back
To many more Julys.
HAPPY FOURTH!
