“Summer time was always my favorite. We lived in the city, so we would drive down to Atlantic City and spend out summers at the beach. My dad had a friend who lived in Jersey so he would let us stay with him. The house was perfect…right on the beach…it was great. I still keep in touch with him; he says I can come back whenever I get the chance.”

“It sounds really nice…I’ve never been to the beach…”

“Really?”

“Nope, my family never really wanted to go, I asked but I never got them to say yes…so I promised myself that I would go on my own then.” Tina chuckled. “Oh look there’s a rest stop, do you want to stop there for something to eat.”

“Umm, yeah sure that’s fine.”

Tina pulled into the rest stop. She got out of the car and started walking towards the building and stopped when she realized Bette wasn’t following.

“Bette…you coming?”

“Yeah, I’ll be right in I just need to make a quick phone call.”

“Alright.”

After Tina walked into the building Bette pulled out her cell phone and searched through her contacts until she found what she was looking for.

“Hey George…its Bette…”

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After the two finished their meal, Bette offered to drive for the rest of the day. Tina tossed her the keys and sat in the passenger’s seat.

“That was the worst meal I have ever had…lets try a different rest stop on the way home okay?” Tina said.

“Yeah, and the place was so dirty…gross.” Bette got the chills as she spoke. Then the two just laughed.

They made it to New Jersey not too long after the rest stop. Tina looked at the map and then at where they were going.

“Ummm, Bette…I think we missed our exit.”

“Um, nope…were going in the right direction.”

“But, according to the map…we aren’t…”

Bette smiled, “I found a better place to stay for the night….trust me…you’re gonna love it and its better than any hotel we were planning on staying at.” Bette looked over at Tina slyly.

“Oh really? Wanna tell me where it is we’re going then?”

“It’s a surprise…just trust me okay?”

Tina smiled, “Alight. I trust you.” Tina decided to drop it at that and played with the radio.

To Bette’s advantage Tina had fallen asleep about an hour later. Not too long after they reached Exit 38, which read Atlantic City. She hoped they would make it in time before the sun completely set.

She pulled up to the house that she had gone to so many times growing up. Not much had changed; the house just looked a bit older. She quietly got out of the car and walked up to the porch. They key was under the door mat just as George said it would be. Once she unlocked the door she went back to the car to wake up Tina.

She gently stoked Tina’s face, “Tina…T….wake up…we’re here.”

Tina opened her eyes and looked around groggily, “And where exactly is ‘here’?”

Bette took her hand, “Come on…follow me.”

Bette led Tina around the back of the house. There was a gate around the house; she opened it and it lead right onto the beach. The sun was just setting and there were few people still on it, most were heading back home. The breeze hit Tina’s face; she was no longer sleepy or groggy.

Bette looked over at Tina, who was just smiling and in awe. She was still holding her hand, and whispered; “So…is this better than any boring hotel or what?”

To be continued….