my walk to the pool...

I step into my sandals; grab a bottle of water; towel; sunscreen & cheap sun glasses. It's time for me to take the eighty steps from my front door to the LaSolana pool. Big C is the first person encountered on the way:

"What's going on good buddy? Where are you headed?"

He's wearing tan shorts with a blue & red Jayhawk athletic shirt.

"It's a beautiful day village idiot. I'm going for a walk on the trail."

"Nice to hear it Big C. One thing & then I'll let you get back to it."

"What village idiot?"

"A producer & his assistant are coming to visit the pool on Tuesday at eleven. Come on out and take a listen. It will be a learning experience for every one."

I've been pushing a reality show concept based on the comings & goings of the patrons at the LaSolana pool. Big C is slated as a feature player.

"Eleven o'clock on Tuesday; no can do. I have a massage scheduled then."

"What?"

"I'm kidding buddy. I'll do my best to be there."

"Good to hear it friend."

He turns and continues towards the trail; my trek to the pool continues. Before reaching the destination I encounter Gino a few feet from the entrance.

"I saw your girlfriend Pelosi," is his standard greeting every time we meet.

"Gino, man, I am glad to see you. Heah, remember when I told you about the reality show concept I've been pushing?"

"Yep," is his reply.

"They're coming out at eleven on Tuesday. Why don't you come down to the pool then and see what I'm talking about."

"Can't," is his quick response, "I will be at Cimarron then."

"Okay, I'll keep you advised of the situation."

"Oh, Heah," he adds before I can slip away, "I saw your girlfriend again. She was out walking her dog."

People don't believe me when I tell them my best friend nowadays is an eighty eight year old gentlemen with a tan to boot. 

"I saw her the other day as well Gino. She was at the pool. I was too scared to ask her out."

"She's way out of your league," he says in a gruff tone, "I wouldn't even bother trying to ask her out if I was you."

"What are you saying Gino?"

"Women that nice stay a thousand miles away from a guy like you," adding with a laugh, "No chance!"

"You're a funny guy for being eighty eight."

"I'm not trying to be funny. I'm telling you the truth. No chance whatsoever."

"I might ask her out the next time I see her; just to shut you up."

"You're too much of a chicken," is his parting words as I open the gate and enter the pool area.