Chance Encounters

Lake Effect

We drove on the highway until we had no clue where we were at. I hopped out of the truck,needing some gas and a pay phone,thankfully this station had both. Shoving my two quarters into the slot I pushed the same familiar buttons on the number pad. “Hey Ike.” I said looking around me. “Hey kid,you having a good time?” He asked,sounding like he awoke from his midday nap. “Yeah,Mark and I are up in Wisconsin checking out the scenery and what not. Can you feed Splash for me?” I heard a sigh and then he cleared his throat, “Not a problem kid,drive safe and have fun.” He hung up the call and I hung my receiver up as well. Mark appeared to already have bought the gas. As he was pumping it. “I told Ike where we are.” He nodded as he offered to drive, I gratefully accepted his offer. Dusk was upon us and we needed to get a room for a night. Unfortunately neither of us knew where we were.

I sat in the truck,while Mark went back in and asked the clerk for directions. He came back out and started the truck up. He seemed like he knew where he was going,and on a full tank of fuel we departed the little station and went north west. Within an hour or so of back roading we came across a lighthouse. Mark shut the truck off, “We are here.” He said, I looked confused, “What do you mean?” I asked,skeptical of course. He handed me a set of keys, “This is our hotel.” He said blankly. I looked up and down,it looked like a regular lighthouse. A house connected to a tower to light the way of the lake for ships. Before I could even ask how he paid for it,he got out of the truck. With a deep inward sigh I opened my door and followed.

I caught up behind him as he was opening the door. On the first floor was a bed,with a old wooden table,a lamp looked like it made its permanent home there as layers of dust covered the base. Looking in further was a bathroom next to a stair case. I walked past Mark who found the light switch,illuminating the first floor. I walked up the stairs and seen the search lights were on. They did long sweeping motions across the glorious Superior. It was a clear night,leaning over the railing I seen at least 100ft drop,if not more. It was lined with the same rocky cliff we climbed up earlier. I smiled when the salty lake breeze blew in my face. Mark put his arm around me,as we stood looking up at the stars. He pulled me into a hug and pressed his lips against mine. I was melting in his arms. He pulled away and put a metal ring on my hand, he pecked me on the cheek. “It’s a promise ring,it’s a horseshoe nail that I tig welded together and used a torch to create the rainbow effect.” He laughed then he said, “That is my promise to you that someday we will be together married. I’m not risking loosing you.” I grinned and we went back downstairs together. Mark turned on the radio,which it was cool that there was one,but it was only a NOAA. Great we were in a lighthouse and the radio was telling us the chance for a lake storm. “Hey babe, doesn’t this seem a little apocalyptic?” I asked. He laughed, “What’s wrong with being in the apocalypse with my favorite person?” He smiled pushing me onto the bed. Before we got further we did something daring.

We went back up to the open air. He laid his jacket down and I followed suit. We laid next to each other carefully kissing as we began to take each other’s clothes off. He moved his hand down in between my legs getting me moaning as I grabbed him. Slowly moving my hand up and down him I felt him moaning as he put me on top of him. I went to move my hips,but he stopped my movement,instead he chose to bounce me on him instead. I moaned as I felt him penetrating me. “Mark. Mhmm.” I moaned,with nobody besides the gods themselves around I was able to moan and be as loud as I wanted. Mark partook and moaned loudly as he pushed me off of him. Finishing on one of our jackets.

We walked back downstairs to the bed, I pulled a book off the shelf and sat down with it. I opened it up,Mark sat with his head on my shoulder. The book was a picture log of all the places the light house keeper was at. I flipped through it to find one that has a picture from the Eagle Harbor lighthouse. I grinned. “This guy is pretty cool,looks like he’s been around Lake Superior.” Mark nodded then I sat the book down and walked back to the truck and grabbed my new prize. The guitar that John and the rest of them signed. I slung it around my body and climbed the stairs back up to the open air. I strummed the first chords to the song Up Around the Bend. Mark sang along as I grinned. This moment was definitely one to remember.

The grandfather clock chimed for 12:30 which was our cue to get some sleep,tomorrow would be a busy day of traveling. We crawled into bed, he held me as I fell asleep on his chest. The waves could be heard crashing below,it was truly a once in a lifetime experience. My dreams were filled with exploring Lake Superior as a Lewis and Clarke type. Trapping and tracking the coast. Eventually that could happen,but for now I enjoyed my little fantasy. When we awoke from our slumber we caught the gulls calling. Sitting up I rubbed my eyes,walking up the ladder I felt the frigid lake breeze hit my face. The sun was rising and the shadow of the lighthouse bellowed across the lake illuminated by the rising sun. Mark came up behind me I heard the snap of his camera then he came up wrapping his arms around me,kissed my neck. “Good morning my darling.” He murmured into my ear. I smiled as I inhaled the cool autumn lake. Turning to face him. His sapphire eyes shining brilliantly against the lively oranges in the sky. The gulls calling as they circled the air. I threw my arms around his neck as he picked me up,kissing me before setting me down. We both pulled away averting our gazes to my left hand. He smiled,taking my hand in his and planting a kiss on it. “I’m glad you said yes.” Taking my hand he led me downstairs. “Now,the only rule about staying in this lighthouse is you have to leave a momento behind,otherwise a sea spirit will come haunt you.” Mark said, I raised an eyebrow, “You know,it’s a myth,but honestly,I can’t afford to really find out if it’s true. What kind of thing do we leave behind?” Mark shrugged, “Anything,I suppose, but it’s got to be from us.” I walked out to my truck, wearing my outfit from yesterday, granted it was wrinkled yet I didn’t care. I yanked open my truck door,rummaging through it to see what I could find. Not wanting to leave just some random thing I finally had an idea. I took my 1/2 drive ratchet out of my tool box along with my 1/2 inch crescent wrench and walked back inside. “Nothing means more to mechanics than their tools. So we trust them to take care of them essentially.” I handed Mark the ratchet and I set my wrench down on the nightstand, to which Mark followed suit. Turning off the light switch before shutting the door behind us.

Mark held the key up in the air sun glistening off of it. He must have been doing some sort of ritual. He walked back up to the lighthouse and set the key somewhere at this point I already had the truck started. Mark hopped in and we drove along the coast. I never did ask how we were able to stay in a lighthouse,but it was a fantastic experience. Mark leaned back in his seat. “Im kinda hungry.” He said looking out the window. I nodded, “I agree, but first we need to find somewhere.” He smiled,resting his hand on my thigh. We continued the drive back to the rez. We stopped in a little village and picked up a block of fresh mozzarella. Along with some pretty good fudge. Mackinaw island has better fudge,but this wasn’t bad. Finally on the outskirts of the town was a restaurant. It was built from an old lighthouse. The parking lot looked packed,but we went and gave it a shot.

To say it was weird was an understatement. The first thing was that we were severely underdressed. It was a very “white table cloth” the men were wearing dress shirts and the women were wearing blouses. I gave Mark a glance of discomfort. He took my hand and led me to the waiting area. Our yesterday clothes sticking out as everyone glanced at us walking by. We sat down able to see the lake,couldn’t have been more than three hours from home. I glanced back at the menu attempting to find something that I could wolf down. My eyes met Mark’s and he gave me a smile. “Relax would ya? Look at it this way,we probably won’t ever come back here so,who gives a s**t if it looks like we crawled out of a hole.” I chuckled at that one. I took a breath and nodded, “Yeah you have a point.” He then added while looking back at the menu, “Consider it celebration for us.” He said pointing at the ring that was now on my left hand. I nodded, “Alright,you made your point.” I said stifling a laugh. We ordered our meal. As the waitress walked away Mark asked, “So,when we get done in Ohio,where are we moving to?” I shrugged I haven’t really put thought into it. “Well,probably around Frank’s as he wants me back for three years after I finish.” Mark nodded,swigging some water down. “So we buy a starter home and then sell it when we move.” I nodded, “Yeah,but I’d like to travel too.” Our conversation interrupted by the plates of food. My chicken sandwich took up the majority of the oval plate. “Well,whatever we decide to do,I just want you by my side when we do it.” We ate our food like we didn’t eat before.I took the bill before Mark could get any more hair brained ideas. Groaning that the only change I had was small Canadian currency. I grumbled as I put a 20$ bill on the table. “Tip is already factored in. I suppose it makes up for the lake of etiquette dress we showed up in.” Mark chuckled,taking my hand and leading me back to my truck. A few more hours and we will be back home.