She does.

“Alright” Mary Beth said with a small nod and a smile. She looked unsure, yet resolute. Bryan couldn’t help but exhale in disappointment. Ellen gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as the three of them continued to walk down the sidewalk, and into the small college town nestled beside the campus.

“I’m sorry if what I said early offended you either of you, its just that I really don’t want you to be lost” Mary Beth sighed, and her shoulders slump as her head lowered, and she looked at the sidewalk, avoiding Bryan or Ellen’s eyes.

“I don’t make friend easily. And I’ve only met a few girls who really want to be friend with me. It was pretty much the same in high school. I saw what my mom was like, and I didn’t want to be like her. I mean I love her, and all but she was just too …unrestrained. And Denise, she was my best friend in high school, she’s a very devout Christian, and Catholic, like me. My parent were never religious, and I just got more and more involved with the church. But” Mary Beth said as she turned her head to face Bryan and Ellen.

“I was pretty lonely and I guess I was pretty depressed. I don’t want to go through that again in college” Bryan wondered if he’d have to suffer hearing the repressed girl’s life story all night. He hoped that somehow they’d lose her before the night grew too old. Stepping off of the curb, and pulling Bryan alongside her, Ellen led them across the street. “You need to be open minded, and not so judgmental, I think you’ll be a lot happier if you are” Ellen suggested

“Its not too much further. See the green neon sign two blocks away? That’s it” Ellen said as she gestured down the street.

The building was a square brick building with glass brick windows, and large double doors painted with a glossy black finish, and round porthole style windows at the center eyelevel of each of them. But the large bright green neon sign above the entrance was a real eye catcher. The neon flashed out the name of the establishment, spelling out the word lagoon letter by letter. And if that wasn’t enough, beside the stylized neon lettering was a rendering in neon of the Creature from the Black Lagoon, his outstretched arms reaching out menacingly towards the patrons.

“Looks like the place to be” Gary observed. Watching Ellen’s face as she looked for anyone she might know, and noticing her breasts bouncing with each step. Her vividly red blouse, and the bright ruby studs pinned on her delicate earlobes made her blue eyes look intensely blue, like the blue of a mountain lake.

“I’m sure we’ll have a very good time. It’s a pretty cool place. And lots of people to meet” Ellen said as she looked at Mary Beth, who had become suddenly silent and looked deep in thought.

In minutes they were outside the doors, and Ellen waved to a trio of girls standing with a dark, good looking man with broad shoulders, and chiseled good looks. “Now remember, I have to help out the girls with a few things before I’m totally free for the evening, you guys can help me set up if you want, or you can just grab a table. I’m fine with whatever you decide.” Ellen said, letting go of Bryan’s hand, and pushing open one of the doors, and stepping into the dim club.

“I guess I’d really like to find a nice guy, maybe somebody who’d appreciate me” Mary Beth confessed, as she followed Bryan into The Lagoon.