While still in the US Navy, I was sitting in a bar called the Thirsty Camel, in Oceanview, VA.

There were three of us there, the barman, a drunk named Sam, and me, all watching the Dodgers losing yet another baseball game to a better team.

After a couple of innings, Sam got up and left leaving the 'tender and me.

About this time, a stunning redhead walked into the bar and selected a table near the center of the room. The barman folded a white towel over his left arm, picked up a menu, and walked over to her. He took her order and returned behind the bar. He mixed up her selection and returned to her table, accepted the payment, and went into the back room.

I couldn't help notice that she had vibrant green eyes, seemingly gleeming in the light. After a bit, she and I starting flirting with each other, with winks amd subtle smiles. I motioned with my hand towards her table and she grinned, nodding.

I asked the bartender what she was drinking and he replied, "Manhattan Iced Tea". I ordered two, paid for them and turning, walked towards her.

She smiled, and then suddenly sneezed, explosively! Her right eye popped out of its eyesocket and bounced off of the table and onto the floor!

It rolled across the floor right towards me. I shifted both drinks to my right hand and deftly scooped the errant eye. Adjusting the drinks, I continued to her table and presented the precious gem to her.

She was blushing furiously! She accepted her eye, turned away, wiped it and returned it to its place. She turned back to me and asked me to join her.

We spent the evening there learning about each other. And, about midnight asked me to join her in her apartment which was nearby. I accepted.

The next morning, she served me a glorious breakfast - eggs, sunny side up, waffles drenched in strawberry jam and powered sugar, scrapple fried to a rich golden brown and coffee, hot and strong.

As I sipped my third cup, I looked into her eyes and said, "I am not trying to take anything from last night but, why me...?

She blushed, smiled coyly and whispered in a husky voice, "I don't know... I guess it's because you caught my eye..."


eldar