“Dad, I’m really starting to hit my stride. I’m ranked third now and starting to win everything. I really think I have a shot at hitting number one by end of season.”

His father shook his head back and forth. “What’s up kid? I know you don’t give a damn about rankings. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, not to mention that Malia will...”

Noticing a strange look on his son’s face he started laughing. “Yo... tough guy pro surfer dude, I am getting a sense here that you are scared at the thought of being with Malia in a tropical paradise?”

Crash knew he could tell his father anything, they were basically best friends, but he was embarrassed by what he was feeling for nearly the first time in his life. Doubt.

His father could see it written all over his son’s face. “Spill it Crash, I can see you want to let something out.”

Crash said, “You’re right you know. I couldn’t give a damn about rankings, but I do care about money. I want to live the dream of the endless summer. I want to spend my days on the ocean. Besides that I’ve only wanted one other thing. I have wanted to date Malia for a few years now... She is way more famous than me being a model and a champion. She has dated men with doctorates and real lives. If I blow this “fantasy” of mine it’s going to crush me.”

His father put his hand on Crash’s shoulder. “Those relationships of hers you mentioned, have any of them worked out?”

Crash shook his head.

“Let me give you some wise old man advise then. Malia is a surfer deep down in her soul, just like you. You already have a fellowship in the sea. Try just being her friend. The rest will come later. Hell’s bells man, you are going to go into an adventure game with her right? So be a hero, save her from a certain death, drag her back from falling off of a cliff, pull some puppies from a burning hut. Just be yourself and it will work out.”

“In this life it is often said that you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones that you did.” He quoted. “Not to mention the million dollar deal.”

Crash straightened up a little bit and looked his dad in the eyes. “You’re right, where is a pen, I’m gonna sign that contract!”

“Who am I kidding, I was gonna sign it all along! Have you seen this Ever Ever game? It looks crazy fun! Who was that quote from anyways, that was good. Thoreau? Whitman? Twain?”

His dad laughed. “I dunno, I think I heard it on Star Trek, maybe Spock.”