After skinny dipping and sunbathing naked on the deserted beach, she redressed and started strolling up the peaceful shores toward the next town.

She had journeyed too many places and weathered many hard and dangerous times.  In some ways, she was childlike, but beneath the youthful beauty was a seasoned runaway's toughness.

As she strolled along sea shore, she notice the sun hiding partially behind a cluster of white clouds.  Sea gulls were flying low over gently rolling gray waves and the rocky shore sloped steeply upward about a 1000 yards ahead. 

The sand was warm on her bare feet and she could feel the breeze gently sweeping her young face.  As she reflected on her traumatizing experiences, suddenly, she noticed the most beautiful sea shell she had ever seen lying majestically on the fine sand.  It was an extremely large mufti-colored shell brilliantly lit.  She knew it would have the wondrous blasting sounds of the sea.  When she reached down to pick it up, she noticed a small piece of paper in the creases of the shell.  After admiring the beauty of the shell, she removed the note and to her amazement it was still legible as Molly read,

"You will find happiness when and where you least expect it!"

Angrily Molly balled the note up and threw it into the surf.  She kept the sea shell as a souvenir.  She hadn't known happiness for seven years, since her father died.

Molly Rainier was 21 years old and had been on her own for five years. She had run away from home at the age of 16 because of an abusive step-father with fast brutal hands and weak sniveling mother.  Her father had died two years earlier of diabetes and medical bills had consumed the family finances.  Her mother was blessed with one undeniable saving grace, she was a very beautiful woman.  So Molly mother soon married a wealthy clumsy businessman. 

Molly missed her dad and couldn't get over his death.  When her step-father started beating her, she soon learned her mother would not do anything to help, so she ran away from home.  After five hard years on the streets, she became street wise and tough in ways most runaways soon learn. 

When she reached the top of the slope, she saw a small town just down the road.  Entering the picturesque little town, Molly suddenly realized she felt "strange" in a way she had never known. 

Molly entered the town's only diner and walked up to the counter.  An appealing looking middle aged woman with dark brown hair walked up to her and smiled,

"Hello young lady, are you hungry and would you like a job?"

"A job?" said Molly.  "You don't even know me."

"You are perfect and I know you will like it here after you have been here for a while."

"I am offering you a job, a free place to stay, and all the free food you can eat." said Cheryl Cinder.

"Why are you doing this?" asked Molly.

"You need a job and I need a waitress," repeated Mrs. Cinder.

Molly liked Mrs. Cinder instantly.  Although she had been many places over the last five years, she felt that she had to take Mrs. Cinder's generous offer, even if for a short while.  It was the best offer she had received in a long  while.

From the start Molly and Cheryl Flanders got along like long time friends.  Molly learned every aspect of the diner business from Cheryl.  Some days Molly would open and close the diner by herself.  Cheryl had frequent head aches and often would take the day off.  Molly could see why she was enthusiastically accepted by Cheryl.  Or so she thought.  Molly became very friendly with the customers and was soon accepted as a member the town.  Several young men came to the diner often just to see Molly, but she did not feel anything for any of them. 

Month after month passed and after about six months, Cheryl could sense that Molly was growing restless. One day she approached Molly saying,

"I know you are considering leaving soon, but I want  you give it six more weeks please."

Cheryl had been so friendly to Molly, she felt she had to stay awhile longer.  Four weeks passed and Molly approached Cheryl,

"Cheryl, I really love it here, but I think I need to move on in two weeks."

"I understand completely and thank you for staying the extra six weeks.  It has meant a lot to me," said Cheryl in a motherly way. 

The next day, a young man in a Army uniform walked into the diner.  He was tall and handsome and gorgeous looking in uniform.  Molly had that "strange" feeling she had felt several times in the past when she met a man she liked.  This time was somehow different as the young soldier walked up to Molly,

"Hello, I am John Cinder.  Is my mother here?"  

John Cinder was 22 years old and had just completed a five year tour in the military.  He had traveled in Europe and in Korea and had not been home for 24 months. 

"John, screamed Cheryl.  I didn't see you come in.  How long have you been here?"

"I just walked in and said hello to this young lady and was about to come look for you."

"This is Molly Flanders. She has been working here for seven months." 

As John turned and smiled at Molly he said,

"Welcome Molly Flanders and I hope you will be staying awhile."

Molly was more excited about Jonesburg after John arrived.  Three days after he arrived, John came into the diner again.  He had been resting in his uncle's empty house which was now owned by his mother.  Molly lived in the guess room at Mrs. Cinder's house. 

"Hello Molly," said John. 

"Hello John Cinder," said Molly.  "Your mother is in the kitchen."

"Thank you, talk to you later," said John with a big smile.

John returned about 15 minutes later with his mother,

"Molly, John will drive you to the grocer to buy the diner supplies I need," said Cheryl.

"Okay," replied Molly.

As they drove to the grocer, John asked,

"Molly, are you planning to stay in Jonesburg permanently, it's a small town?"

"I had planned to leave about a month ago, but your mother asked me to stay six more weeks.  So I have less than two weeks left here."

"Maybe I can change your mind about leaving so soon," relied John confidently.

"Maybe," smiled Molly slyly.

They talked a lot after that and learned about each other's pasts.  They went to the lake three days later at midnight and Molly  disrobed completely and jumped in the chilled water as she signaled John,

"Come on in, the water is great," urged Molly.

"Okay, be right there," said John.

They swam and played and Molly teased John by splashing and swimming away.  Soon she let John catch her and they became more than just friends.

The next night, Molly sneaked out to spend the night with John.  When she came back,  Cheryl said,

"You don't have to sneak out at night Molly.  Both you and John are worldly grown-ups with minds of your own.  But please let me know where you are going so I don't have to worry about you!  You are free to see my son.  I already think of you as a friend, and friends are not sneaky with each other."

"Okay Cheryl, I really appreciate your approval and friendship.  I will be staying for a while longer.  John says he will take a job and apartment in Smithfield in three weeks and I would like to spend some time with him before he goes."

"Good, I'll see you at the diner in 30 minutes," Cheryl said approvingly.

Time passed swiftly and John and Molly grew much closer.  One day John came into the diner early in the morning,

"Molly, Mother, I got the job at Smithfield Electronics!  I will be starting in two weeks at the beginning of next month." 

Cheryl was elated, "I knew you would do well.  I am so proud of you."

Molly at first, was happy for John, then she seemed so sad.  John noticed Molly's disappointment and said,

"Molly I will continue to stay at my uncles old house for a few months until I get settled in my new job." 

"That's great Molly blurted out!  I mean I am glad we will have a little more time together before you move to the city."

As the months passed, Molly and John grew closer.  One day while Molly and Cheryl were alone in Cheryl's house, Cheryl asked Molly to go in her room and bring her hair brush.  While she was in the bedroom Molly notice a beautiful sea shell on Cherry's dresser very similar to the one she had found.  After careful examination, Molly wondered whether Cheryl had taken her sea shell from her room. She went down the hall and sure enough, her sea shell was in her room.  When she reached Cheryl she said,

"Cheryl, there is a sea shell in your room very similar to the one I found down on the beach."

"Cheryl replied,  "Yes, I know.  When I was young I found two very beautiful twin sea shells on the beach.  I thought they would bring me luck and sure enough I met my husband.  We were married in less than a year.  I saw you on the beach swimming and I left the sea shell there."

"How did you know I would find and keep it?" asked Molly.

"I just knew you would.  I got a letter from John that same morning - he said he was coming home to stay.  When I saw you on the beach I knew you were the right girl for my son. "

Molly was astounded.  She had fallen in love with John and hoped he would ask her to stay.  Two months later Molly and John were married.