Summer Love Stories: the Volleyball Goddess of the Plains

I had just graduated from high school, and was splitting my time between baseball and a job with the city parks department. It gets pretty hot on the plains in the summer, so our evenings were spent at the lake north of town. We'd find a secluded cove, away from the prying eyes of the authorities, and ignite a bonfire. The crowd was composed mainly of my high school peers, but occasionally someone would bring an out-of-town friend. Anne was one of these friends, and would be the star of my greatest summer love story.

Anne had come to town as an instructor for a volleyball camp. She was tall and femininely muscular with long blondish hair. In the light of the bonfire, she looked like a goddess the Greeks might have written about. Our eyes met across the flames, and we flirted without speaking for a while. After downing a few bottles of courage, I made my way to the other side of the fire. I jokingly thought to myself, "could this be the start of one of those made-for-television summer love stories?" At first, we talked of those things that neither of us really cared about; what brings you to town? Where are you from? Eventually we started talking about our ambitions and passions, a conversation that lasted well into the night. After a while, she went back into town, as she had to get up early the next day. Before she left, we made plans to see each other after her camp was over in a few days. We would return to the lake, but as a two-some, not a drunken mob.

Just as I was finishing setting up my tent, she walked over a dune. I felt like I was going to pass out, as she was wearing a skimpy bikini and had packed light. We said hello and decided to take a swim, as it was a 100 + degree July afternoon. The setting couldn't have been better for romance. The water was warm, the sky was free of clouds, and it was as if we had the whole lake to ourselves. Before long, a little horse play led to the removal of our bathing suits. I couldn't believe that it was happening. We made our way back to the tent, and spent the rest of the evening intimately exploring each other. This went on for two more days, and then she had to go. My heart wrenched at the thought of never seeing her again.