I was in Santa Barbara.I don't remember going to Santa Barbara, I don't remember why I even wanted to go.

But I was there. I must have taken the two hour drive up in the morning. It was now afternoon and I was having a margarita on the outdoor patio at the Santa Barbara Biltmore-- beautiful and quiet.

I felt peaceful and somewhat relaxed-- considering my memory was a little off. I mean -- what the hell had been happening to me with these lapses in my life?

The waiter came over and handed me another margarita.

"I didn't order this," I said.



It's not often a man as handsome as you comes to the Biltmore -- alone...

Or are you? Enjoy the margarita.

Dan.

I looked into the bar but it was dark and the sunshine outside made it impossible. I took a big swig of the perfect margarita and went inside to meet...Dan.

*****

"I'm in my final semester at UCSB -- majoring in Psychology. I work at my Dad's place, a nursery downtown to make extra money. But you know how it is, you never have enough spare change in your pocket."

I smiled.

Dan was a sandy-haired blond surfer type who knew he was cute. His pink polo shirt showed off his muscles and I believed he did work at a nursery. That was about the only thing I believed though. I asked some more questions.

"If you didn't spend so much money buying men expensive drinks at expensive hotels -- you'd have some more spare change, don't you think, Dan?" I said and winked. "But thanks for the drink."

"Well," he laughed. "I thought it might pay off. You know, a little extra cash here, a little extra cash there."

"What's your price?" I asked, getting to the point.

"One-fifty an hour-- double that for any kink."

I took a beat. A long beat.

"Let me get the next round," I said. "We'll hold off on the kink. For now."

He smiled and called the bartender over.