twenty-two degrees
"No." I said, shaking my head. "Probably some sort of gecko trail or something." I turned off the light and walked out of the bathroom. I thought of Monique for a moment. I sighed, then turned out the living room lights. Leaving the glass doors wide open, I headed outside, and down the hill towards Zippers. I crossed the highway. Lounge music, just audible above the surf, rolled toward me over the sand. I smiled. The sound of a piano was joined by the shaking of maracas. Then came a voice, in accented English, singing Strangers in the Night. I walked down the dirt pathway, lined with tiki torches, to the entrance of the bar. Wandering in de night. What were de chances we'd be sharing love, before de night was true. I walked inside. "Sidney!" "Hey, Sid!" "There he is!" "Yoo-hoo, Sid, darling, over here!" "Hi-ya Sid!" The calls came from the party of ten, seated around the large table at the center of the restaurant. The gang was all here. A lovely night indeed. "¡Buenas tardes!" I said, walking towards the table. "¿Como están ustedes? How's everybody doing tonight?" "Marvelous, Sidney. How are you, sweetie?" said Ruth. I reached her and her husband Howard first. I leaned over Ruth's shoulder and kissed her on the cheek. Ruth and Howard are retired. They're from Vegas. "I'm doing great, Ruthie." I said. "Wow, you sure smell good. I love your perfume." I turned to Howard and patted him on the back, urging him not to get up. "Howie, how's it going, buddy?" I said. He patted my hand, on his shoulder. He wore a gold ring with a horseshoe of diamonds. "I'm doing good, kid," he said, looking up at me. "Let me buy you a drink, Sid." "Sure." I said. "Thanks."
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