The Sparkling Tiki... An Unforgettable Weekend

The year was 1961. She pulled up to the Sparkling Tiki Motor Inn, excited about some much needed rest and relaxation. She exited her 1957 Belair Sport Coupe and entered the motel office to see about a vacancy for a few days. She was in luck... she got a room.. room number 11. She drove to her door, parked, and brought herself and her luggage inside. The room was lovely. The Sparkling Tiki was a fairly new establishment. The room had it's own telephone and TV, complete with the latest in Rabbit Ears, and best of all, a brand new restaurant had recently opened, right next door! The Polynesian Room was of course, Polynesian themed, which she found very appealing.. She couldn't wait to have dinner there, it would be her first time enjoying Polynesian food, but for now, it was nearing lunch time. She was walking back across the parking lot to the office to inquire about a nice diner to get a bite to eat, noticed the pool area, and decided to take a detour. She loved the water and wanted to see what awaited her over the next couple of days. She made her way to the pool fence and there he was. She was stunned by his good looks and aloof demeanor. He was lying on a lounge chair, engrossed in what looked to be a captivating novel. He was tan, wearing white swim trunks with a navy blue stripe down each leg, and was the spitting image of Cary Grant. For a moment, he looked over the top of his book. They made split second eye contact and the butterflies, that had made themselves at home in her stomach, took flight. She immediately blushed, turned around, and headed back toward the office.

He was all she could think about. That evening at 5 o'clock there came a knock at her door. It was him. Her heart soared! She didn't think he noticed her, but boy, did he! He asked if she would like to accompany him for dinner at the Polynesian Room. Well, she certainly wasn't going to turn that offer down. She calmly said, "why, I'd love to, give me just a minute", but inside she was as giddy as a teenager, thinking, this is too good to be true. Was the Cary Grant look alike really asking her to dinner? Yes, he was! They moseyed next door and got a table at a window with a beautiful view of the highway and the gas station, across the street. It was a breathtaking sight as the sun began to sink down, behind the Esso sign.

The two enjoyed pleasant conversation, and a lovely dinner, but sadly, he informed her that he would be leaving the motel the next day. She was disappointed but would never let it show, though she felt they had made a powerful connection. She was hoping the feeling was mutual. She definitely felt a spark, well, more like fireworks, between them. After dinner, they strolled the parking lot a few times, laughing, talking,  and divulging more and more about themselves. He was a real estate broker on his way to a convention, though he expressed that he wished he didn't have to go so soon, but time was pressing. He had to be packed and on the road in the morning if he was going to make it to his destination on time. Despite the fact that he would be on his way in less than 12 hours, she was on a cloud just knowing that he wanted to stay. She wanted him to stay, too. She was smitten, and apparently, so was he.

As time continued to pass and it grew later and later, he knew it was time to walk her back to her room. As they stood at the door, making small talk, she kept thinking that she wished he would stop talking and just kiss her. She would certainly never make that move herself, and as she was just about to give up hope that he might, he did. He leaned in and very gently kissed her goodnight. It was a kiss that she would remember for the rest of her life. They said goodnight, she went inside and he, being on a cloud himself, but acting very calm, cool, and collected, strolled back to his room, as well. He thought to himself, "wow, what a girl!" The feeling was mutual and they both knew it.

As much as both of them didn't want the morning to arrive, it did. And as he packed his 1958 Fairlane, he kept wishing he didn't have to. "Maybe I can skip the convention", he thought. But his spot was already reserved and paid for and to boot, he was a guest speaker. He was stuck. So, as he was reluctantly ready to hit the road, they said their goodbyes. He told her he'd see her again, and as much as she wanted to believe him, she knew it wasn't true. Not that he was deliberately lying to her, because in his heart he believed it, but she knew life and distance would get in the way and though her heart was breaking, she was thankful for their meeting and time spent together. It was bittersweet as they kissed goodbye. He asked her for her telephone number and promised he would call her when he returned home from his convention. She wouldn't hold her breath. With a big smile and an aching heart, she wished him safe travels and happy motoring, which brought a chuckle from them both, and she watched his Fairlane drive off into the fast approaching sunrise. She was sad. He was sad. She would continue her life. A week later, she was home, and back into her daily routine, though her mind was still set on the weekend. prior. As the following weekend was coming to a close, her telephone rang. She picked it up, assuming it was one of her girl friends, looking to go a movie or something, and when she said hello, she heard a very familiar voice. It was him, and her heart soared...