Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 62(@200wpm)___ 50(@250wpm)___ 41(@300wpm)
I have to let it help. I have to get something out of last night. I can’t be the same as I was yesterday, before my friends came.
I try to remind myself of everything I have to be grateful for. The gorgeous weather. The beautiful beach, tucked in next to a small town that’s cozy and welcoming. All the places I used to visit with my mom when we came here. Friends who care so much about me that they dropped all their plans to come party with me for the weekend.
I have so much. I can’t deny that. My thumb rubs rhythmic circles on the shell I found. This shell even and what it means to me.
It’s just that I miss my mom so much. I didn’t realize before she died that missing her would replace everything else. I don’t know who I was before I didn’t grieve for her, and every time I try to remember, all I can think is that she’s gone, and she’s never coming back.
Tears sting my eyes, so I close them gently and tilt my face into the breeze.
“You would think this is a beautiful day and you would have loved last night,” I tell my mother, though I know she can’t hear me. She loves my friends and would have sang karaoke with us if she were here. I look down at the shell in my hand and force myself up before the tears start falling and I move back to the water.
I wish I could have a sign from her. One single sign that would tell me that she’s okay and that life is going to be okay. “Just one sign, please Mom?”
PARKER
Three cups of coffee down and it’s not that bad of a day.
The weather is warm and sunny, and the waves in the ocean aren’t too rough—so there are quite a few people on the beach. Some of them are even having parties and cookouts. That means they’re in an even better mood. The sales seem to come in bursts. I sell a few pieces, then hang out for a while, watching the waves from across the shore, then sell a few more. I’ve got a piece I’m working on in the back too. The contractor is nearly done and even though I’m barely hanging in there and tired as hell, I’m damn happy with how the day’s gone.
By the time people start to head out in the afternoon, sunburned and carrying crying kids who are way past their naptime, I’ve made my weekly goal. That’s a good sign of what’s to come for summer.
The shitty sleep I mostly didn’t get last night is starting to catch up with me. Part of me cares way more that my stomach is growling though. The sandwich I bought for lunch isn’t going to be enough to tide me over until whenever the beach clears out.
My stomach growls again.
So I lock up shop.
A couple of people wave to me on my trip across the street. I take a few seconds to lean against the hood of the truck when I get there. It’s warm, and the beach makes for a hell of a view when I can stop to appreciate it.
Which I do, until my stomach growls again. I have a frozen pizza at home that’ll only take half an hour to bake the way I like. It’s a simple pleasure, but I’ll take it.
That’s when movement catches my eye.
It’s a beautiful girl in a blue coverup that goes down to her shins and a bag over one shoulder, the towel slung over the other. Her skin is sun-kissed and her hair still damp from the water.
Oh, shit—it’s the girl from the condo. It’s Luna. My heart beats faster watching her move over the sand. She’s moving slow, her flip-flops hanging from two of her fingers, and as annoyed as I was last night—and this morning, if I’m honest—I’m captivated now. There’s just something about her. Yeah she’s gorgeous but the way she carries herself… I just …
My mouth goes dry.
If I’m going to say anything to her, now’s the time. With my keys in my hands rattling I debate on whether or not I should. The beach is neutral ground. It’s not quite as casual when I’m on her doorstep.
Fuck it.
At least it’s a reason to talk to her. Luna steps onto the sidewalk by the strip of parking spots by the beach just as I move around to the driver’s side. She blinks over at me like she didn’t realize anybody was here, then nods to me distractedly.
“Hey, Luna,” I say, and nod to her.
“Hi?” She looks again, her eyebrows going up when she recognizes me. Luna has a summer tan, but parts of her are pink from what looks like a full day on the beach. I couldn’t take my eyes off her if I tried. “Oh, hi, Parker. I didn’t see you. I was—” She waves to the street behind me. “On my way home.”