The Big Dippers E2

Meecham now tries to find a way to recant his enthusiasm. “There may have been a little misunderstanding. First, my body doesn’t adapt well to cold water.”

While wading neck deep, she replies, “I understand. Cold water affects us both in different ways. No judgment.”

Realizing the lack of clarity, he adds, “I’ve never actually been skinny dipping—with someone. I mean, while camping alone, I bathe—of course.”

She interrupts, “This is my first time with someone else too. Finding a companion with this in common is why we’re here, right? If you want pictures before it gets dark, you better start stripping.” She relaxes to float on her back.

“You’re right. It’s why we’re here.” Meecham feigns a smile while trying to diffuse the misunderstanding.

As he disrobes to slowly remove his embarrassing boxer shorts, she joshes, “Oh my, your boasts about the Big Dipper were a tad exaggerated. I’m sorry. Just teasing. Hurry in.”

With a running dive, Meecham steps on a twig that injures his toe. He is hopping around before making a big backward splash. After about 20 seconds, he raises his head, shivering.

Worried about his injury, Julie asks, “Are you all right?”

“Fine! I’m fine—ouch, ooh, ooch,” he responds while grimacing.

Julie perceives a disconnect in their enthusiasm. “You’re acting like this is your first time. A love of the beautiful sky and crisp water. This is the experience I thought we share in common.”

On the borderline of hyperthermia, he admits, “There’s a big dis-disconnect. I’m an as-astronomer who lah-loves pho-photographing the Big Dipper—in tha-the sky. It’s a con-constellation.”

Now she’s embarrassed. “Oh, wow. I’ve become way too familiar on our second date. It’s not something I normally do with strangers. This is really awkward. I had no idea you were an actual stargazer. With perhaps three definitions of Big Dipper, we may be dating under false pretenses.”

He can’t tolerate any more of the cold the water. “Look, it’s why I ee-equalized the plah-playing field. I didn’t want you to th-think I’m a per-pervy creep. But I really must get by the fi-fire.”

With a look of worry she says, “If you die of hyperthermia, this will be the worst date ever. Let me get you back to our campground.”

Kindling a Relationship

Julie helps Meecham get dressed and builds a fire before putting on her clothes. “To save a life, I have forgone all embarrassment of my exposure. Here, drink some coffee. Are you going to live?”

While his color restores, Meecham replies, “Thanks for everything. I feel like such a fool. This would have been much more exciting in a warmer climate, had I known what was taking place. If you ghost my future phone calls, I would totally understand.”

“The misunderstanding is rather funny when you think about it. We each focused on what we wanted to hear. I’m not sure how many bases this counts for, but it seems like more progress than anyone’s gotten with me.

“You know what you're getting after viewing me without makeup, pushup bras, or body contouring underwear. It’s quite an investment in our relationship.

“As we reset our minds, let me start by paying attention to your true interest. Tell me more about astronomy.”

Looking up, he shouts, “The Big Dipper is one of the easiest star patterns to locate. It’s visible nearly every clear night in the Northern Hemisphere, looking like a big dot-to-dot of a kitchen ladle. I see it now in the sky. Can you hand me my camera and tripod?”

She realizes the equipment is still at the pond. “Oh, sure. Just a minute.”

When she returns, she tells him, “I hope the camera wasn’t too expensive. It looks like a bear may have taken it and left the tripod.”

He tries to suppress terror, replying, “Oh, well, I guess these things happen.”

She then pulls the camera from behind her back. “Just kidding. But, I shouldn’t have left them by the pond. You seem to be taking everything in stride.”

Meecham sets up his equipment and begins snapping photos. “You can look through the viewfinder. See the meteor shower passing through the Big Dipper constellation?”

As Julie peers into the lens, she remarks, “I’m sorry. All I see is a beautiful sky. Oh! Some stars are moving.”

To comfort her, he replies, “It’s okay. You just witnessed something amazing. When I get back to my studio, I’ll send you an image where I connect the dots. For now, I must ask another imposition of you.”

Julie, feeling out-shadowed by the stars, replies, “You got an eye-full this evening, and only respond with delight at the telescope. But focusing on your recovery, I can’t refuse anything that keeps you alive until morning.”

While holding his hands toward the campfire, he continues. “If a compliment isn’t inappropriate, your body is amazing. That makes my next question more awkward. I’ll be bundled up as much as possible. Would you share your body heat in a tent tonight?”

“Wow, that’s either a cry of desperation or the smoothest pickup line I’ve ever heard. I’ll agree, as long as you don’t share another Big Dipper in the tent.”

The End

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