Cape May by Holly Caster Page A

head.
    Joanna’s palms flew up to her face. “Not quite yet, please! I’m still in my fifties, for a few more months. I always forget I’m not supposed to tell people my age.”
    “You shouldn’t because they’d never guess it.”
    “Thank you. Well they do say that sixty is the new twelve, or something.”
    “I’m over sixty on the outside, with an internal maturity of about seventeen.”
    “Uh oh, are your hormones raging?” she said, embarrassed the moment the words came out. Her own hormones were making her blush again. At almost sixty. Would that ever stop?
    “Yes, they still get me into trouble, but at a slower pace. No raging any more. Now it’s more like a swift current.”
    Wanting to change the subject, she asked, “Are you working on any projects other than the Cape May book you won’t even give me a hint about?”
    “Next week, back in the city, I have a speech to write, then nothing lined up. I have to start hunting for work. Hell, can anyone retire any more?”
    “It’s too bad you don’t have a science background. My medical education company always needs freelance writers.”
    He squared his shoulders. “And who says I don’t have a science background?”
    “Do you?”
    “My parents didn’t believe I could make money as a writer, so they forced me into medical school. I made it through two long, awful, painful years.”
    “Loved it, did you?”
    “It was my parents’ dream. Certainly not mine. But I did learn a lot. I learned how to work like hell and attempt to be satisfied with so-so grades. It really was humiliating. However, having seen an autopsy in person gave me some good copy for my mysteries.”
    She reached into her purse. “We do seminars, slide presentations, that sort of thing. If you’re interested in some freelance work…wait, let me impress you,” and dug out a business card. “Here. My company gave me 100 of these, and I think this is the fifth I’ve actually given anyone.”
    “ Joanna Matthews, Associate Managing Editor . Well, I am impressed.”
    “Yeah, big deal, huh? Email me your CV when you get back to New York. I’ll give it to the editorial director. You never know. It’s hard work, but it pays well. You’re sure to do it better than me. And my cheap company would love the fact that you’d be freelance and they wouldn’t have to cover your health insurance.”
    “If anyone saw what I’m about to eat, the health insurance I currently have would be revoked.”
    Sophie put huge plates down in front of them. Joanna said, “Wow, that’s a lot of food.”
    “Here’s some extra napkins.” Sophie asked, “You need anything else? Water?” They both nodded and she was off.
    Michael said, “Looks greasy and good” as he handed Joanna the ketchup bottle. She took it just as she bit into a big ass clam. It was hot and some juices dribbled down her chin. He grabbed a napkin to give her but her hands were full, so he wiped her face and she started laughing.
    She managed to say, “Oh, I’m glad this isn’t a first date. What would you be thinking?” as she continued laughing and dripping.
    He laughed, too, and said, “I’d be hoping for a second one.” Their laughter slowed.
    Sophie arrived with two glasses of water. “If you need anything else, just let me know.”
    They gazed out at the beach and the pink sky while they ate.
    ***
    They finished eating, quietly and comfortably, watching people on the beach. Joanna consumed her last fry then wiped her hands and face on a wet-nap. After vehemently turning down dessert, she settled back and sighed.
    “It’s hard to believe we’re on the same planet as Manhattan, let alone the same coast, just miles apart.”
    “You’re renewing my love for Cape May. Thank you.”
    “No, thank you for inviting me here. I probably would’ve just gone to bed too early.”
    “Doesn’t sound bad.”
    “I’ll be dead asleep by eleven anyway.” She looked at her watch. “I should get back to my B&B.