Paul did call Wednesday night as he had promised and additionally promised to take us to dinner on Friday night. There was a quaint little spot in La Jolla that he liked, and I felt sure myself and the kids would enjoy it too. They had been afforded the luxury to have nice things by Brady's hard work. Vacations. Nice dinners out. The latest technology. Cars. And college tuition bills that would be paid for. It would not be long, and I would be sending Isabella to college, and Liam would be graduating and following in her footsteps not far behind. But I digress.

Paul and I had a long conversation. He had been a bachelor his entire life and had dated many and had been engaged twice, but for reasons unknown yet none of them ever panned out. He liked to ski and play golf, and was slender and athletic enough at sixty-two to enjoy the activities that he enjoyed.

He picked us up promptly at 6:00 PM, Friday, and ushered us in his black, Mercedes CLS to The Marine Room. We were escorted to a fine dining table with white linen cloths and brown armchairs with a hounds tooth design. One of the most amazing features is that we could see the Pacific Ocean. Our dining experience would be complete by listening to the gentle crashing of the waves as we ate.

Just as I figured from a bachelor, Paul was a meat and potatoes man, although he noted in conversation that Italian was his favorite. However, one of his favourite places to visit abroad was Monaco; where primarily, the culture and the food is French. Over the years, he had taken only a select few to Monaco, as it was his respite that he was reluctant to share; so he said.

I had Maryland Blue Crab Cakes to start and a bowl of Lobster Bisque before moving on to a Pistachio Crusted Lamb Rack. My bill alone with wine would be over one hundred dollars, but we were instructed by the one who invited us to order as we wished. Liam and Isabella were instructed to take it easy on Paul and were careful about the right side of the menu. They each said that they were trying to stay lean for the summer. Isabella had been worried about going on to college and putting on the "Freshman-15", and Liam was simply trying to keep his figure as it was. He was in the best shape of his young adult life.

It seemed like all of the countries were represented and Lisa, the sommelier, had suggestions for pre-dinner drinks, wines to compliment our dinner, aperitifs between courses, and of course a nite-cap. I was happy after my third glass that I was not driving.

Conversation was kept lite at dinner, and we held tight to our seats for nearly two-and-a-half hours. Paul would eventually take us for ice cream, one of our favourite pastimes.

He had scored some points with myself and the kids, and I was once again eager; for the first time, to see where things might lead.

We were well into our sixth week now and we needed to find something to do besides the beach. We had visited the zoo, aquarium and done an illegal viewing of the airplanes as they took off from San Diego International. We had visited "My Mexico" and eaten at fabulous restaurants in both there and California.

On evening at a local wine bar, I met a man who was in the real estate business. He had been doing beach houses for buyers as a buyer's agent in Coronado Beach and nearby San Diego. He drove a Maserati, and had some extra cash to burn it seemed. We shared a glass of wine and some conversation. We were both fans of bold reds, and shared a bottle of Cabernet and Malbec. The Malbec was from Argentina, and we had a bottle of Stag's Leap from the Napa Valley. Finally after one glass of high-end, single production, low-yield Merlot, I was fit to be tied.

I took a cab home and we exchanged numbers. I was eager to see Paul again, but I wondered where it could possibly go...I lived in North Carolina, and he in California. Brady had dreamed of having a vineyard on the west coast, and preferred Washington State to California, as he saw the value in up-and-coming areas, and AVA's.

Paul had agreed to take me and the kids out to dinner at his favourite restaurant in nearby La Jolla. I knew it would be a fine dining restaurant where we could share some more wine, and the children could eat some of the finer food that California had to offer. I agreed; somewhat reluctantly, that they could have "virgin" versions of alcoholic drinks so they could feel like part of the group for the evening.

We would go out, as the plans were to meet on Friday night and I was excited to see just what restaurant he would pick. I already had a wine in mine that I wanted to order, and I wondered if he would "pony up", and enjoy my selection.

Time would tell. It was Wednesday, and I waited impatiently by the phone for Paul to call.

It had been a while since I wrote my mother a letter, so I sat down at the kitchen table one evening to write:

Mom,

We have now been at Coronado Beach for a little over a month. In addition to California, we have traveled to, and spent the better part of a week in Mexico. I am connecting with my surroundings more and more these days and wonder if that is a sign of maturity. I have named our house for the summer, "Casa Amor", or "House of Love". When traveling thru Mexico; while only about five days, it became "My Mexico".

Personally, I think these are signs of healing. My medication has been good to me; and while I do not feel I need it at this point, I realize that that is a general medical flaw that most patients go thru. Thus, I am taking my medication religiously and using the beach and my surroundings to do the rest. Casa Amor is relaxing. While we spend almost everyday thru the week at the beach, Saturdays and Sundays are preferably spent in this beautiful Italian Villa.

The owners are in Tuscany and they will return in a few weeks to check on us, get some clothes and return to Tuscany for the remainder of the summer. I hope to be able to barter with the owner to "pre-book" for next summer.

We have visited the zoo in San Diego, the Gas Lamp District in downtown, the aquarium, and many other locations. We intend to really learn the history behind this city and especially Coronado, as it has become our respite.

Finally, the kids are well. They surf and play volleyball with a small handful of friends nearly daily, and enjoy our evenings out to dinner and certainly to Coldstone for ice cream. I am leading the "taste tester" race, as I am up to twenty-seven flavours for the summer.

With Love,

Stephanie

It was now week five. Isabella and Liam still went for a walk to the beach everyday to surf and play volleyball. During the week, the beach was not as crowded and the friends that they had acquired for the summer were there each day as well. By now, I was getting quite the tan. Brady wouldn't have liked me getting this much sun, but it was hard not too; as the sun had been intense, and I lackadaisical about my sunscreen use. Nonetheless, my tanned body looked good enough that even I was turning some heads at the beach at nearly sixty years of age.

I was only a summer-and-a-half away, and I would reach that milestone. It didn't bother me; my age that is, as much as it bothered me that I was widowed. I figured in my own mind that it was time to venture out into the brave world again, but I would need to be courted; and it it would have to be someone wonderful...someone special.

We decided to do something a little unorthodox that Wednesday. We went to where we could lie down on the grass in a field where the planes from the San Diego Airport took off. It was close enough that we could feel the wind turbulence and the drag as the planes took off for their destination. While illegal, we were not the only ones who had ever done this, so we figured since we were not the first, we would certainly not be the last. "What was the harm", I thought? At any rate, if one exploded we would be "goners" in a flash; but, with that be the worst and only plausible 1 in 1,000,000 chance, we were all willing to stomach the risk.

After a few hours, we went to Coldstone Creamery. One of our favourites, we had come to love the evenings when ice cream was on the schedule. It was typically three to four nights a week, and no one ever had a complaint if it was a few nights in a row. We continued to add flavour after flavour to our own personal lists. Isabella didn't stray far from her favourites, and Liam even more so; so it seemed that I had once again become the adventurous one. I was now up to twenty-seven for the summer.

We returned to Casa Amor on Sunday. We had spent the better part of a week in Mexico and it was time to return to the beach. Isabella and Liam were exhausted; as was I, and we slept in till nearly noon on Monday. The beach was our safe haven, and it was a beautiful day that Monday. It was the beginning of our fourth week, and I knew that time would begin to fly. On Sunday, we would have just eight weeks left.

We spent every day in the fourth week at the beach. Liam and Isabella had made a few friends that were close to them in age, and they played volleyball each day until time for dinner. In the morning they would try their hands at surfing, and they each had become a master at the "boogie board" or waveboard, as I would call it.

I did cook some as well; as I have always loved being in the kitchen. It was one of Brady and I's pastimes, I guess you might say. His specialty was Italian, and mine French, so we each had something of value to add on any given night. He had even taken the time to teach Bella some things and Liam would someday be a master on the grill. We all loved and adored asparagus, as Brady had showed me the perfect way to cook it. And if I have shared my secret previously, please keep it "under your hat".

The week flew by; as I knew it would, and we spent Saturday and Sunday at home relaxing. While the beach was our playground, Casa Amor was our respite.

While I wanted to visit Oaxaca, it was not going to happen on this trip. We had already driven northwest to Guadalajara, and the next sound destination would be Monterrey. I felt sure we would find more treasures there.

We would travel on I-80 N. Villa de Cos was about halfway on the atlas, so I determined that it would be a good place for lunch. We left at the crack of dawn, allowing Isabella and Liam to sleep thru the early morning hours as I drove. The sun was beautiful as it came up over "My Mexico" that day, and I dreamed of Brady whom I had watched the sun rise with on many occasions.

We arrived in Villa de Cos about 11:30 AM, just in time for a bite. I was quite famished myself; and having just awaken, the children shared my sentiments completely. Arus offered Mediterranean cuisine, and seemed to be appealing; as anything would have at that point. Liam and I ordered the fish of the day and Isabella had a salad with Greek dressing.

Back on the road, it was now about four hours to our destination; Monterrey. Flush with universities; as was Guadalajara, Monterrey also offered museums of various kinds, a park, a riverwalk, and Cerro de la Silla, or a name for the landscape and it famous saddle-shape.

By mid-afternoon, we were cruising the riverwalk. It was bustling with people that day, and I could feel the excitement in the air. "My Mexico" had lifted my spirits once again. Now why exactly I had named the Villa we were staying in "Casa Amor" and for just a few days the State of Mexico, "My Mexico", I'm not sure...but I somehow knew that I would have to connect to my surroundings in a real and meaningful way for this summer to remain important and memorable. It was not only the children that needed healing; but even more so, it was me. 

The next day would be spent in Guadalajara. It would be nearly a six hour drive from the Mexico City, City Center; so we started early about 6:00 AM, hoping to get there by high noon. Along the way, we would pass many beautiful cities. The road was a two-lane road; very passable, and it would be considered a major thoroughfare in Mexico. In countries such as this, the road conditions can be less than desirable; however, Route 55 seemed very passable.

We arrived in Guadalajara around 1:00 PM. La Franca was one of the first restaurants that we came across, so I parked the Suburban and walked up to the sidewalk menu to have a look. From what I could gather, this was a Mexican Contemporary restaurant. It suited the kids and I, and from the outside facade, it looked appealing. We would soon find out that the food and service we also as such.

The item on the menu that seemed to resonate with all of us was the Steak La Franca. Three orders were made and we were pleasantly surprised. After chomping down the steak like rabid dogs, we had flan and ice cream. Finally, a Margarita for me, and aged-root beers from Isabella and Liam. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. The valet brought the Suburban back around, and we left to see the sights.

There are four large colleges, and a handful of museums, along with many cathedrals in Guadalajara. The stained-glass windows were impressive, so we took quite a few photos. At nite, as the sun went down and the lights came on, they were even more impressive by the light of the stars.

The Casa Montore Botique Hotel would be our resting place for the evening. Turn-down service was appealing, and after seeing the room and the price at just $74/nite, we decided to stay for two days and tour more of the city. On Friday, we would head to another destination and return to the States on Sunday.