Mt. Soledad Love Story

THE FIRST DATE. Radcliff Leach, a handsome man in his early 40s, is accompanied by the very beautiful and intelligent Laura in her late twenties. They just met in a local night club and he offered to show her the scenic views of La Jolla, California from the top of Mt. Soledad, before they go for breakfast. After an evening of dancing to the Latin rhythms of the club, she accepts his invitation and they leave the club at 4:30 am. Radcliff, wearing a silk jacket and tie and Laura in a silver beaded dress are seen together leaving the club by the valet who already has waiting for them Radcliff's mint condition, 1953 Classic, silver Gull Wing Mercedes Benz 300 SL Coupe.

With the gull wing doors raised, Laura slithers into the plush red leather seats as the valet carefully closes the door over her head. Radcliff, after tipping the valet, pulls his own door down and revs the engine for his typical departure with gusto.

"Nice car Radcliff!" she says.

"Call me Rad, Laura."

"Is this car what aficionados call a classic?"

"Ha, You bet, I get lots of compliments because it is 42 years old and looks and performs just like new."

Now under way, the car noisily winds its way up the mountain and attempts to enter the circular drive around the Mt. Soledad Cross. A policeman waving a flashlight directs the car to a parking space because there are hundreds of people before the cross atop Mt. Soledad.

"What is going on?" asks Radcliff.

"It is Easter!" Laura responds.

"So What?"

"They are getting ready for the Easter Sunday Sunrise Service," offers Laura.

"Ridiculous. This is my favorite necking place. A great parking spot with the best view in La Jolla.

"We can go somewhere else."

"You must be crazy Laura, I do not even believe in God, these fanatics are infringing on my rights."

"You're an Atheist?"

"Of course, God is a fairy tale for the ignorant. Don't tell me you believe there is a God and a Santa Claus too."

"You can scratch Santa Claus, but I do believe there is a God."

" My father told me to never argue Religion or politics because it gets people angry. Let my thoughts on this subject be my own. Let me say a silent prayer at this beautiful spot before we leave."

Laura gets out of the car, kneels before the cross and says a prayer. The sun is now rising in the East and casting rays of orange light on the Pacific Ocean below. She returns to the car where the pouting Radcliff is revving the engine with the gull wing door on Laura's side still up in the air displaying the red leather interior. Radcliff is obviously preparing to roar down the mountain. The Classic Car finally arrives at the circular driveway and stops at the portico in front of Radcliff's Oceanfront Mansion on a cliff accessible from La Jolla Farms Road. Both gull wings go up and they climb out.

"Wow! Is this where you live?"

"Yes Laura, it's my pad. Come on in I will have some breakfast made for you while I show you around. They go inside. The Laura gets the tour of the Ocean Front Mansion as they walk from room to room.

"You never told me you are so wealthy. This home is spectacular. What kind of work do you do?"

"I inherited a fortune from my parents who were killed in a plane crash, so I don't have to work. I am what you might call a dilettante."

"Tell me about yourself Laura, where were you educated?”

"I was educated in private Catholic Schools, and in a Catholic College for Women in Colorado where I majored in Philosophy."

Houston, the valet enters the room.

"Breakfast is ready Radcliff, shall I set it our on the terrace."

"Yes, please Houston. Thank you."

Laura and Radcliff follow Houston outside to the table on the terrace high on the cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

"This is nice Radcliff, what a beautiful view."

"On a clear day you can see Catalina Island."

"Where did you go to school Radcliff?"

"Down the street. UCSD, University of California, La Jolla Campus. I majored in Political Science which is why I think they should tear down that stupid Cross on the top of Mt. Soledad."

"Tear it down?"

"Sure. Separation of Church and State is the issue. That Cross is an insult to all Atheists. The cross is the symbol of Christianity and is an insult to all non Christians. Why use taxpayers dollars to put up a monument insulting Moslems, Jews and all non Christian religions.

"I can sympathize with the taxpayer part of it.

"On the issue of Separation of Church and State. I need a project to keep me busy. I think I will join the movement afoot to get rid of all these crosses. Did you know that they actually have weddings on Mt. Soledad and people actually get married before the cross?"

"It is such a beautiful spot Rad, with a 360 degree view, I can see why. Hey, it is going on 7:30, I have to get home and shower and change and get to work!"

"What do you do?" "I teach Metaphysics at the University."

"Oh! Brains and Beauty, you might be too much for me."

"You're a hedonist, you can handle it. I will be leaving Saturday for the Sorbonne in Paris for a year and will not return until next March. Can you wait that long?"

"For you Laura, I will wait."

They walk to the car, Radcliff opens the door and she climbs in, he walks to the drivers side, gets in revs the engine and they tear out of the winding driveway heading for where Laura left her car parked, back at the night club.

See Other Books By This Author and when finished,

Click here to return to www.