My college campus is set in the hills above a small coastal town. One of the pleasures of my commute is that long, smooth bike path that leads from the highest point on campus to the Main Entrance at the foot of the hill. Before the longest stretch of downhill, there is a slight crest amongst the rolling golden hills. At the peak, heading off the bike path is a small dirt trail. Down the trail there is a clearing in the tall grasses where a small bench sits, with a perfect view over the city and across the bay below. This is a nice place to get high, and many students use this as an after-class smoke spot. Farther down this path, towards the line of redwoods that mark the beginning of the woods, a lone, twisted oak tree shades a cluster of fallen trunks, an array of natural benches under the canopy. I love to read couched in the bends of the branches of this oak.
This sunny afternoon, I had pulled my bike up short at the crest, and wheeled it down the path to the tree. I was just leaning it up against a bough when I noticed that the tree was populated. The tree wasn't my secret, it was known and used, but I still found it somewhat surprising to find someone there. I looked around and realized it was one man, about my age, doing pretty much what I had intended to do. But his book was in his hand, forgotten, and the sunlight filtering through the leaves dappled his bare chest, where he lazily twirled his finger. He turned at my approach, and met me with a broad smile of white teeth on tanned skin under soft blue eyes.
I introduced myself, and waved my book at him,
"Looks like we're here for the same thing."
He laughed lightly and returned the wave, halfheartedly. "Yeah, guess so, finding myself dreaming more than reading, though, it's too nice out!"
I set myself up at an angle towards him, so we could talk if we wanted or not, no pressure. I sat down and began to read.
I like my reading material to reflect my environment, and it wasn't working. The book was a dense sci-fi dark mass with puzzles and coal black imagery, the bizarre words and brutish violence clashed with the beautiful sunshine and warm sea breeze. I noticed I wasn't reading, just staring over the top of my book, off across the shady grove and to the sea. In the left of my eye was that other guy, he turned as I looked at him, and our eyes met. A small flash of those pure teeth.