I had just ended a relationship.  It ended badly.  Of course it ended badly, otherwise it wouldn't have ended.  I needed to get out of the city.  My friend Charlie lived in Lake Worth, FL and invited me down to spend a week.  I flew into PBIA and Charlie was awaiting my arrival.  He asked how I was doing.  I said, "I've been better."  He said, "She was making you miserable, Roman.  You are much better without her."  I agreed.  I picked up my bag and we got in Charlie's truck.  Charlie seemed to be very excited.  So I asked what was on the agenda.  He replied, "We're going to go look at a boat."  I said, "I didn't know you could afford a boat?"  He said, "I can't, but there was an ad in the paper and it sounds like a good deal."  He called and got the address and we were on our way.

   We pulled up to the house.  It was a nice house with a huge garage.  I followed Charlie up to the door and he rang the bell.  A tall, dark haired girl answered.  Charlie said, "We're here about the boat."  The girl seemed annoyed and motioned towards the garage.  Charlie whispered sarcastically, "She seems like a ray of sunshine."  I said, "I thought she was hot."  Charlie scolded, "Don't even think about it."  I nodded and followed him to the garage.  The door was opening.  The garage was full of belongings.  On one wall was a beautiful, 26', twin engine cabin cruiser.  Charlie's eyes lit up. The girl said, "There it is.  Have a look."  Charlie scurried over to it and climbed in.  I stayed behind watching the girl.  She was tall and athletic looking.  She had very dark gorgeous eyes.  We began talking. 

  Charlie popped his head out of the boat and said, "I hate to interrupt you and Miss Bitter, but I need a flashlight."  The girl glared at Charlie.  I said to her, "He's really a nice guy."  She did not look convinced.  She picked up a flashlight, flipped it on to make sure it worked, and handed it to me.  I walked over to Charlie shaking my head.  He innocently asked, "What?"  I handed him the flashlight and said, "Don't be a dick."  He smiled and took the flashlight.  He checked every inch of the boat.  He finally decided it was in perfect condition.  He jumped out of the boat and asked, "How much?"  The girl said, "5000 cash."  I blurted, "Do you know how much this boat's worth?"  She winked at me and nodded that she did.  Charlie said, "I'll take it.  I'll run down to a bank and get the money.  You guys stay here and move the stuff out f the way so I can hook up to the trailer."  So we did.  The girl told me her name was Lindsay.  We had a wonderful time.  We laughed like fools.  We just finished as Charlie pulled in the driveway.  He gave Lindsay the money, hooked up to the trailer, and jumped back in the truck.  I told Lindsay I had to go.  She smiled and gave me her number.  I got in the truck and Charlie shook his head at me.

    On our way to the BMV, Charlie asked, "Why do you want to get close to a girl like that?"  I replied, "Like what?"  Charlie said in an irritated voice, "She's broken dude.  And she is a man hater."  I said, "Charlie you have no compassion.  She was hurt badly and has a problem trusting men.  That doesn't mean she's a man hater."  Charlie shrugged his shoulders, "Whatever man.  Just don't jump right in."  I nodded in agreement.  Charlie ran into the BMV to get a temporary tag for the boat.  He was in and out pretty quick.  We headed for the marina.

   The weather was gorgeous.  We headed about 10 miles off shore.  We set adrift doing some snorkeling and skin diving.  It was great.  Charlie put some lunch together and I made us a couple of drinks.  We couldn't have asked for a better day.  After lunch Charlie doze off.  I did a couple things on the boat and sat down for some reading.  After an hour or so, Charlie woke up.  He said, "Sorry I fell asleep man."  I said, "No big deal Charlie.  I have just been reading and thinking about that Lindsay girl."  Charlie looked annoyed, "Her again.  You need to stop...."  Charlie stopped.  He realized his feet were tied together.  He asked, "What the hell is this."  He sized up the situation.  His feet were attached to a rope attached to the anchor.  He cried out, " What the hell are you doing, Roman?"  I scolded, "You shouldn't berate girls I'm interested in, Charlie."  He was trying to undo the not.  I grabbed the anchor and threw it over board.  The rope was running out quick.  I said, "Try not to be BITTER as you're being dragged to the bottom of the ocen, Charlie."  With that I quickly flipped his feet over his head, the rope and anchor drug him out, and he quickly sunk out of sight.  I started the boat and headed back to the marina.  I called Lindsay and we talked for hours.  I think I'll invite her to come see me in NYC.