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The Jeep pulled forward as he headed north. Wolfgang reached over and squeezed June’s hand and released it to go back to steering. They passed the last residential street and entered a winding road between hills at the foot of the mountains. June looked out the side taking in the green landscape. She felt like she would never get over its striking color. She saw a bird fly from one tree to the other and thought of her mom and then of her sister. “I’ve never been to the beach.” June vocalized over the wind and radio.
“Really?” He was surprised.
“Yes. We didn’t live near one.” She looked at him. Wolfgang glanced at her and back at the road, nodding for her to look too. The road was budding up to a hill with a tunnel at the base. Coming up to it, she could see the blue ocean on the other side. The hill swallowed the red Jeep as her hair continued flicking the back of her neck. The exit grew and they were out. June’s eyes widened at how big the ocean was, How big the sky was. She was breathless and looked at Wolfgang who was observing her. The road turned around the hill and came to a large parking lot.
Wolfgang put it in park, “We’re here.” He got out in a swift movement and darted around to help June.
Her feet hit the ground feeling the grains of sand between her sandals and pavement, “Thank you.”
“Can I get you to hold this?” He handed June two towels.
“Yes.” She tucked them under her arm and grasped her bag. Wolfgang grabbed a blanket and a cooler and faced her, “What, no kite?” She smiled.
He laughed, “No, not this time.” They headed towards the beach with light sand that got darker towards the water. The sand slid in and out of her sandals creating a weird sensation. The beach was corned in by palm trees reaching out to sea, it was small and secluded. “How about over there,” He pointed to the opposite side of the young family.
“Okay.” She followed him as quickly as she could with the sand slowing her down. With the breeze coming in with each wave, the sun felt good on her shoulders. The family looked over towards them, waved and Wolfgang waved back.
“Do you know them?” She asked trotting behind him.
“I know everyone. I’ve been here for twenty nine years.”
“How many people live here?”
“Last time I checked, over fifteen hundred.” He stopped and placed the cooler down, “Here.” He handed June a corner and they laid the blanket down. Wolfgang adjusted the cooler onto the blanket and received the towels from June, tossing them down to the other side.
He placed a hand out inviting June to sit, “care to join me?”
“Yes,” She smiled, sliding out of her shoes and kneeling onto the blanket. The blue water gamboled along the sand as the toddler screamed happily in the distance.
Wolfgang removed his shoes and sat next to June with his legs folded in front of him. She noted that his legs were just as tan as his arms and covered in hair. “Juniper?”
“Wolfgang?” She responded playfully looking at him.
“Call me Wolfie.”
“Call me June.” Even though she melted at the way her name poured into his voice.
“Okay, June, would you like a sandwich?” He opened the cooler.
“Sure Wolfie.” She grabbed it from his extended hand and peeled back the paper wrapping. “Is this chicken salad sandwiches?”
“Uh, yes?” He closed the cooler with the second sandwich in hand. “Do you not like-”
“No, it’s fine. My mom used to make them for me, so it’s weird that you made it.” She took a bite, “This is amazing.” She didn’t dare say that it was better than her moms.
“Thank you.”
June sat watching the waves roll in and the birds in the sky while quietly eating. Wolfie sat and watched June until they were done and she pulled out her water to take a drink.
“Oh, I brought extra water if you need more.” He pointed to the cooler.
“Thank you.” She leaned back on her palms and gazed at him, digging her fingers into the sand for the first time, feeling it. His hair ricocheted against his face as the wind gently blew.
Eyes squinted, he intensely stared at her until she smiled. “What?”
“You’re the one staring.” She looked up at the bird flying overhead and then back at Wolfgang. “Is this what you like to do for fun?”
“Well, when I’m not being called to let a pretty girl in her house, I like to do a lot of mechanics. I like working with my hands.”
