Pepper cautiously approached Salt for she was leery of this boy who wouldn’t completely button up his shirt. She figured he must be peculiar to do something like that. After getting close enough to say hello to the young man she thought better of it, and started to walk right by him. Salt looked up just as he heard footsteps, and glided on his board over to whom the footsteps belonged too. Stepping off his skateboard he stuck his hand out, and said,

“How are yah?”

The girl looked him up and down with a look of intrigue, and disgust. Salt wondered why she looked at him like that because she didn’t look so hot herself, but kept his hand out hoping for the best. She jabbed her hand out and replied.

“I’m Martha, but I go by Pepper."

Salt clasped her hand, and shook it vigorously saying, “Pepper!? No way! My name is Salvatore, but I go by Salt! Nice to meet you! Where are you from? Where are you going?"

Pepper surprised by Salt’s friendliness said, “I’m from around here my dad owns that surf shop near the beach. Where I’m going is none of your business, but if you must know I’m running away because I want to experience life. Now I’m reconsidering it because I don’t know where to go exactly.”

Salt stood there sort of stunned on why Pepper would want to run away when there were wonderful things to do all around. He offered his unwarranted opinion.

“Why don’t you stay in my hotel for a couple days free of charge while you figure out where you would like to go next. This way you can still see your family, but also be away from them while you sort yourself out.”

Pepper wondered to herself why Salt seemed so quick to help a stranger, but liked Salt, because he seemed genuinely happy to help her. After deciding to stay with Salt for the next couple days they both decided to walk over to her house to grab clothes and provisions. Pepper had left so quickly that she hadn’t packed or really thought through the whole running away business. Salt was happy to have a new friend and his first customer in his hotel.

When they got to Pepper's house, this wonderful aroma greeted them. The smell permeated their souls, and gave Salt a joy he hadn’t felt. When he came face to face with the heavenly scent, he melted. What was laid before him in a simple white plate was a gorgeous mountain of homemade chocolate chip cookies. He asked politely if he could eat one of the cookies from heaven. Pepper's mom gladly gave him multiple cookies, and Salt went into a religious experience while consuming the cookies, and sipping the most refreshing milk he had ever tasted. After that life changing experience he turned to see Pepper bound down the stairs, and tell her parents she’s staying at Salt's homemade hotel. They laughed thinking it was a joke, and said sure. She picked up her military duffle bag her dad had given her from the local surplus store, and beckoned Salt to follow. He sheepishly turned to Mrs. Pepper and asked for a couple more cookies. She smiled the sweetest smile, and packed him a couple in a fresh bandana. Delighted at his new gift he followed Pepper outside, and they chatted on the way back to his hotel. What laid behind them were happy moments, and what laid before them was an unknown that was peculiar.