The Guanyin is perched on a man-made island on the edge of the South China Sea. I stripped off as much clothing as I thought I could get away with (Buddhist rhymes with Nudist, after all) and began my swimming ritual. Ah… I think time apart is good for a relationship, don’t you?
As I lay on the beach, gazing up at the Guanyin, I had time to reconsider my marriage plans. After all, she really only needed a place to stay until hotel rates came down again. And two of my roommates had already headed home for the Chinese holiday. She could stay in one of their rooms.
And as for her, uh, condition – she would probably make up with her boyfriend sooner or later. And, even though I love children, I’m getting a little stuck in my ways. I made up my mind to let her down gently.
I jumped up, brushed off the sand, pulled on the rest of my clothes, and went looking. When I spotted her, I almost reconsidered. Did I mention she takes your breath away? But then I gathered my courage and ran up to her. “Two more hours,” she said. “Okay, take your time,” said I. I returned to my meditation spot.
To wrap this up, we didn’t get married. She took me up on my offer to use my apartment for a couple of days. There was no hanky-panky. Darn. Several months after she flew back to the cold, cold North, I got an email with a picture of her and the baby. Beautiful kid. I think of her from time to time and wonder how she’s doing. Cue music.
Of all the buses, at all the stops, in all the towns, in all the world, she had to get on and sit next to me. Play it again, Sam. I’m not quite finished. Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah. Of all the bus stops, in all the towns, yadda, yadda, yadda. We’ll always have Sanya.
I’m telling you the truth. I swear.
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