A Day at the Beach Part 2

Annie and Auggie acclimated to the water quickly and soon were just floating aimlessly, bobbing along with the soft waves, the sun warm on their faces.

"We're coming to get you!" the solitude interrupted by high pitched voices and lots of splashing.

Annie tried to locate the ocean floor and realized they had drifted quite a bit.

"Hang on guys, it's too deep here, let us come to you," Annie oriented Auggie in the right direction and the two slowly paddled in a bit.

Once she could stand comfortably she encouraged the girls to swim out, they had a ball with them.

"Auggie, I read online about these balls that have bells in them, I had Mom order one so we could play," Chloe said shyly as she shook the ball.

Annie brought her hand to her mouth, certain she was going to cry at the look on Auggie's face.

"Wow Chloe, that was so thoughtful of you. I'd love to play, toss it here," he caught the ball easily and soon the four of them were playing a makeshift game of water polo.

"I'm tired," Katia mentioned after a prolonged period of treading water.

"Climb on board Kat, I'll tow you in," Annie offered.

"I'll get you Chloe, but you have to navigate," Auggie offered as the older girl hung on to Auggie's back.

Four very wet and thirsty polo players appeared in front of Danielle who had enjoyed an entire uninterrupted hour with her book. She poured drinks as Annie and Auggie deposited the girls on a blanket before returning to their chairs.

"Mom, can I get a tattoo?" Chloe asked seemingly out of the blue.

"Um, no Chloe," Danielle replied confused, "you're 11."

"Auggie has one."

"He's not 11," Danielle smiled.

"Tattoos last forever Chloe, what would you get if you were to get one now?" Annie asked and Danielle shot her a dirty look.

Annie made a face that indicated she had this under control.

"Well, I don't know," Chloe thought about it.

"I'd get a turtle," Katia joined the conversation.

"Turtles are nice, I liked unicorns when I was your age, but I wouldn't want a unicorn tattoo now. You need to have a really good reason to get a tattoo, something that will mean something your whole life, you really need to be a grown up and make a sound decision," Annie finished proud of herself.

"Why did you get your tattoo Auggie?" Chloe asked as she sipped her juice.

Annie should have seen that coming.

"I was in the Army," Auggie started.

"You were in the Army?" Chloe asked confusion evident on her face.

"I was, a long time ago, the guys in my unit were part of a special group and we were allowed to get this tattoo, only certain soldiers get it, it was important to me, like your aunt said, you need to have a real good reason for a tattoo," Auggie finished and Annie smiled at Danielle.

"Were you in the war?" Chloe was putting the pieces together.

"I was," Auggie answered honestly.

"Is that why you are blind?" she stood up and got closer to Auggie, a serious look on her face.

Annie and Danielle were frozen watching the scene unfold.

"Yes," he nodded.

"What is it like?" she asked standing right in front of him now.

"Being blind?"

"No, war."

Annie gasped and Auggie turned towards her assuring her it was OK.

"Chloe, war is a terrible terrible thing, but sometimes it happens and you can rest assured that there are lots of brave men and women protecting this country," he gave her a small smile.

"Thank you," she said in a small voice and kissed his cheek.

Auggie wasn't sure if she was thanking him for the answer or his service but he just nodded and hung his head. Chloe rejoined her sister who was napping on the blanket and Annie looked at Danielle, tears mirrored in their eyes. She approached Auggie, his head still hung, and leaned over and kissed his salty wet hair.

***555***

The girls fell asleep on the blanket and the adults had a quiet conversation about Danielle's business and life in California. Finally Danielle got a glimpse at the time.

"We need to wake them up," she announced.

"Oh, they look so peaceful, can't we carry them up asleep," Annie protested.

"If they sleep now, they don't sleep tonight. Trust me, you want them to sleep tonight," she grinned.

"Got it," Annie agreed.

Two sleepy girls and 3 adults managed to get all the gear up to the porch in one trip. Auggie headed in to shower as Annie and the girls shucked corn and Danielle went to the fish market for crabs.

When he emerged, freshly showered and bare foot, Annie took an appreciative glance before cutting into the watermelon before her.

"Mmmmm, smells like summer out here: watermelon, corn silk, sunscreen…." he leaned in and sniffed her neck.

She rewarded him with a kiss.

"Ooooh Corona too," he smiled as he tasted the light beer and tangy lime on her tongue.

"You guys kiss waaaaaaay too much," Katia declared dramatically.

"Really?" Annie looked confused and Auggie just grinned.

"Really," Katia confirmed.

"Huh, if anything I think we need to kiss more," Annie challenged and returned her lips to Auggie's.

"Gross, gross, gross, gross, gross!" Katia squealed.

Annie noticed Chloe staying very focused on her watermelon.

"OK, let's clean this up and you guys are going to help Auggie set the table while I take a shower."

TBC…