It was the summer of '76, and I had saved enough money as a shampoo girl at Super Scissors to rent a house down the shore for two weeks. I talked three of my friends into joining me, and we chose the last week of June and the first week of July. I couldn't think of a better place to celebrate the country's bicentennial.
A typical day was to lay around the beach until 6, walk the two blocks to our second story abode, shower, blow dry our hair to get that perfect feathered effect and spray it with Final Net so a hurricane couldn't move it. A midriff shirt, painter's pants, and platform shoes completed the ensemble, and we were ready to go to the clubs. Ocean City didn't allow liquor, which is why it was one of the nicer beach towns, but it meant we had to drive to nearby Somers Point to party.
Now, just as predictable as the bad taste of 5 for $1.00 beers, the radio would play this song as we were getting ready:
Finished before the other girls, I hung out on the porch hoping to run into the law student who was renting the house next door. He was the reason I washed my car every day, since our houses shared a driveway. I had decided to throw caution to the wind and have a very hot summer romance. He was my intended victim.
When my friends were ready, we hopped into a VW bug, which soon reeked of four different perfumes, and headed over the bridge. Tony's was our first destination, and when that club closed at 2 am, it was only half a block to Mother's, a club that opened at 2 am and closed at sunrise. Completely exhausted, we returned home, donned our bathing suits and headed for the beach for some much needed sleep. But, not before placing a note on our front door: WE ARE ON THE 1ST STREET BEACH. LOOK FOR ELAINE'S NEON GREEN BIKINI--YOU CAN'T MISS IT!
The two weeks passed by quicker than I ever imagined. I had given up on the law student...I guess it just wasn't in the stars. It was our last night, and we got ready a little slower than usual, as if that would somehow make time slow down, too. I walked out on the porch just in time to see the other guy who was renting next door. He called over that they were having a party later, and the four of us were invited. My heart skipped a beat.
Around midnight, we left Tony's to make an appearance at our neighbor's party. I looked around anxiously, but no sign of him. His housemate sat next to me on the sofa, and the most beautiful words came out of his mouth. "Kevin (what a heavenly name) has to work until 2, but he told me to find the girl who wears the neon green bikini, and keep her here until he gets home".
I'd love to tell you what happened after that, but I think I'll just share a few of the lyrics to the song.......
Please be waiting for me baby when I come around.
We could make a lot of lovin' 'for the sun goes down.
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