Victoria’s Ritual Bath

After watching the sun go down from atop our mountain, and when it was dark enough, it was time for Rena’s bath. There was a small lake atop this mount with signs all around it that told campers this was the drinking water for Monte Rio and other towns.

“NO SWIMMING”

Being half Danish Mermaid, she could not read mortal writing. When she emerged from our beloved tent with a towel wrapped around her, I asked her where she was going dressed like that.

“I’m going to take a swim in the lake!”
“No you’re not! It’s against the rules. That’s the drinking water for the people below.” And, I got the look.

“I need a bath. I’m going in the water, and you can’t stop me!”

Hence, I came to believe there are many American men who married their Aries lovers after getting “the look” because you can not argue with it – and never say NO to it!

“We’re getting married – and that’s that!”

Men think they have done well for themselves by becoming a Marine or a Fire Fighter, but this is the look that put millions of unborn children in a womb, and, got your rocks off – but good! So shut up!

I followed Rena to the water’s edge, watched the towel drop to the ground – and she dove in. You could see the first stars reflected in the water dive to the bottom like starfish. My god, my god…..what have thou wrought?

After taking a few laps, Rena swam up to me. She was not happy for some reason – even though she got her way.

“I don’t want you to watch me swim.” she said cruelly.
“Why?” I asked.
Because you got a guilty face, and your trying to make me feel guilty!”
Drats! Caught in the act of being a Libra, Mr. Fair Play Lawabider!

I slunk away, banished from Paradise.

Come the weekend we had fellow campers, usually married couples. Rena had to wait a little longer when it got a little darker, to take her ritual bath. She thought she was not seen, but, after she jumped in I saw fireflies light up all around the lake, as these husbands lit a cigarette.

“I’m going down to the lake and have one more cigarette before we turn in, dear”

As Rena swam, I beheld the reddish dots of their afterglow, they really taking deep long drags.

Of course I did not tell Rena what I saw, because I was on probation, I allowed to come back to the lake. These men had seen this beauty during the day, and when they saw her silhouette against the red-orange sky – drop the towel – that was way more then enough!

As to whether Rena brought along a bar of soap……I’m not going to divulge all Victoria’s secrets, her alleged sins, she may not feel guilty about – this very day!

Of course I am ridden with guilt! I should have tackled her. I should have stood up for all our rights and not let this “pretty bird” push us around.

EPILOGUE

“Come taste this water, Bob. Does it taste funny to you. Tastes like Ivory Soap.”
“Tastes O.K. to me, dear!”
“Why are you blushing! You’re all red in the face. What have you been up to?”

Jon Presco

Copyrtight 2013