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Blond hair blowing in the wind, Pam squatted in the sand and picked it up before the tide came back and swept it away.
“Let’s look for more,” Lisa said, joining her. “Where there’s one, there’s often another.”
They both got down and dug around for a while. Lisa found another piece, a small green marble.
“Can I keep this? I might start my own collection if you don’t mind.”
“Yes, finders keepers!”
“This is addictive,” Lisa said, her eyes trained on the sand.
“Tell me about it.”
The call of gulls,crashing waves and laughter of children signified that it was indeed a day at the beach, with the sea spray cooling off the women as they dug around for a while longer in the hot sun. Then Pam heard their names being called.
“Who is it?” Pam asked, looking up. “Oh Lord, it’s Dan.”
“The poor man is so needy; I don’t know what to do for him. Ryan’s with him.”
“We might as well go back,” Pam said, standing up. She wasn’t ready to stop, but once men were involved, the mission would end. Neither Dan nor Ryan could stay focused long enough to beachcomb.
“It was fun while it lasted.”
“Hocus has lunch,” Ryan called out.
“Figures. They’re hungry, so all activities must cease.”
“We’ll be right there!” Pam replied, laughing.
“Mother, this was nice. I hope we can keep walking together.”
“Lisa, you know I’d love it. Anytime.”
Pam hadn’t seen Dan since her latest plastic surgery, and although she’d forgotten all about it, he noticed right away and whistled at her. She fussed with her hair, embarrassed.
“What’s your problem?” she grumbled.
“Can’t a guy compliment a woman?”
“No.”
“My apologies.”
“Just in time for lunch!” Hocus called out, waiting on the terrace. “And have I got a treat. Freshly caught, practically outside our door, flounder, fried, with cottage fries, coleslaw and strawberry shortcake.”
Frowning, Pam thought Hocus might have lost her mind. “Who are you cooking for now?”
“Instead of having a can of tuna fish, you’re having a real meal.”
“I’ll serve myself,” Pam mumbled.
“Watch,” Lisa said. “She’ll take a spoonful of everything with one French fry.”
“I’m calling Jake to come help eat this feast,” Pam said, excusing herself.
Out on the veranda, she keyed in his number. The sounds of summer came in through the open windows along with the smell of the sea. It felt like summer, but instead of joyful, there was a lingering sadness. She’d thought more about moving away from Sea View, thinking the sea’s healing properties no longer worked for her. The gloom was interrupted by Jake’s hello.
“Hey, are you free for lunch?” she asked after they exchanged pleasantries. “Hocus went to the dock for fresh fish.”
