the Rick Tastic falls

Introduction

After continuing south we find ourselves on the winding cliff-side roads where except for a few guard rails and artificial walls we're constantly a few feet away from plummeting several hundred feet into the ocean.

We're both quiet. In another one of our perfect moments we're in our own little bubble, oblivious to reality. There is no future, no past. There is just the moment, the perfect moment when nothing can detract from the happiness we feel when we're together.

While gazing out the window her gentle voice breaks the silence, "Have you ever been standing on the edge of something and had the impulse to just... jump off?"

Chapter 1 - What Happens In Vegas...

                  ...Stays In Vegas.

Just by skimming a few of my adventures I guess it's obvious I don't quite agree. Fortunately for me, I'm not the only one.

Back in July of 2010 Andy and I made a trip to Vegas. There was no particular reason for it, but something special happened on that trip. After all is said and done there will only be one reason I ever remember that weekend...

2010 July 9

Friday - Las Vegas, NV 10:13pm

We get to Bally's Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and before we leave to go out I have Andy write, in large block numbers, his phone number on my chest just in case... well, just in case life continues doing what it does best. At first he writes ANDY at the very top, at which point I contemplate: do I keep a dude's name written blatantly on the front of my body? OR do I potentially cock block myself when my clothes come off at the end of the night by having him write some random girl's name instead because that would be slightly less gay? 

Chapter 2 - Catch Me!

2012 January 13

Friday - Hermosa Beach, CA - 9:56pm

I get to her place shortly after she had arrived. Since there's no room to park out front I leave my car running in the drive way so I can unload my suitcase and bags before parking it down the street. I bring a few things up and drop them on the floor, "Honey! I'm home!"

Aspen comes running up to sniff my bags, "Hi puppy!"

I can hear her laughing from the bathroom, "I'll be out in a minute, babe, just set your stuff down."

"Alright, I'm gonna get the rest of it, I'll be right back."

"OK!"

I grab a few more things and go back upstairs. 

As I enter the apartment I hear her from down the hall, "Babe! Put your bags down I want you to catch me!"

I laugh, and yell back, "Alright they're down."

She comes running out and jumps into my arms, "Pick me up!" She smiles, "The way I like it!"

I squeeze her ass and thrust her up in the air as she wraps her legs around me. She takes my face in her hands and starts kissing me, "I've missed you."

My heart sinks. For a moment it's hard to respond. I want to say it back, but more than that, I want to feel it...