Passionate Admiration 1

Passionate Admiration

June 18, 2017

Guy Stephens’s retired businessman now part time folk singer made good investments in real estate and established himself in Petoskey, Michigan.

A self-sufficient man who lives with his three dogs in a small but well-designed home on his private lake. He enjoys folk singing stories and plays either alone or with a few buddies at various functions in Petoskey and nearby towns. Sometimes they will venture into other nearby states to sing at a buddy’s family reunion or for various charities. He likes living alone but often feels like he is missing the companionship of a woman.

Iris Young lives alone in Charlevoix, Michigan and works for the Coast Guard. She was married long ago but was terribly hurt by her former husband and now resides in a studio apartment.

Her main interests are rock collecting and growing herbs at a friend’s house ( Shela ) in the country. Shela is twenty years older than Iris and treats her as a daughter even to the point of wondering when she will get her life together and meet some caring man.

It all started out at the wine section in Katman's grocery store in the wine section of the store.

Iris reaches out and puts her hand on the last bottle of Red Diamond Merlot. Guy puts his hand over hers. Their eyes meet and the sparks jolt. She looks him in his blue eyes and he looks her in her hazel eyes with flecks of brown and gold. She thinks of the pure blue waters of in Jamaican waters. He sees the eyes of a fiery tigress. She pouts her luscious lips and says:

" Hey, Mister this is my bottle of Merlot you go get your own there's plenty of bottles around here. "

" I want this one you go get another, Red Diamond is my favorite. “quips Guy.

’Tough toenails Mister I got it first and I'm going to buy it, take it home and drink the whole bottle by myself. "

" Such a pretty little miss drinking all alone now why is that? "

" None of your beeswax now go skedaddle and leave me alone. "

I see you may have had a bad relationship and I came on too strong. Therefore I will try to make amends

I would like to buy you your wine and invite you my cottage on my private lake. I have a pontoon and grill on it and we could float and listen to music and I would cook you a nice steak with grilled veggies.

I will even make strawberry shortcake I make some of the best.

The lake is totally private I own it all so when I built the cottage and put in a sandy beach with lake Michigan sand and for fun I brought Petoskey stones and people like to come to my place and search out the stones. They are beautiful when polished. So if you find one I have a polisher I will make you a stone and a necklace for you.

Would you accept my apology and come and enjoy the day at my little lake?

Iris's thinking to herself is he mad or is this new line...hmmmm he seems genuine and I'll tell my friends where I am.

“You got yourself a deal Mister. I'm warning you I know karate so you best be a gentleman. What's your address and phone? By the way I'm Iris Young."

“Pleased to meet you Iris. My name is Gyanroop Stephens but after Mom named me Dad said no it's gonna be Guy. Here's my address and number. Would Saturday be too soon, say 11:00 am so I could get the grill set up proper? By the way I hope you're not allergic to dogs

if you are I'll leave the wee ones in the cottage kennel."

She agreed to have him grill for her on Saturday.

“Do you know how to get to Arlington Avenue in Petoskey?” asked Guy.

“Yes I work at Station Charlevoix for the Coast Guard and one of the men coworkers will lead me right to your address. I won't get lost" replied Iris.

On the way home Iris thought of the conversation with Guy. Her gut feeling was that he was sincere. Making a light dinner she went out on the patio and looked up at the stars wondering where she'd be this time next year. It was chilly outside so covering up with an old Mexican blanket she fell asleep dreaming of the beautiful Petoskey stones.

© Julia A Knaake