Bonita Bay
Shelagh was surprised to learn that not only did the Bartletts own two cars, but Mrs Bartlett knew how to drive. She had assigned her white Chevrolet saloon car, which the Americans called a sedan, to the Turners for the duration of their stay. She wouldn't be needing it since she taught at the local school and it was not only within walking distance, but out of session for the summer holidays. Nick Bartlett drove a two-seater Sunbeam and they both assured Patrick and Shelagh that their family of three could easily get by with the smaller car just for the week.
As usual it took Shelagh most of the morning to get the five Turners out the door. There were beach things to gather, the packed lunch to prepare, suncream to apply, and then the car to be loaded. Teddy even had time to take a short morning nap before they were ready to leave. But finally, at eleven o'clock, Patrick pulled away from the kerb and headed south toward the call of the Pacific Ocean. "Although Bonita Beach is on the west coast of California, due to its coastal geography the beach actually faces south," Timothy informed them. They crossed what Shelagh considered Bonita's high street just as The Beach Boys' hit, Surfin' USA, began to play on the car radio and quite soon afterwards they reached the main road which ran along the beach. Turning left, Patrick drove them out onto a peninsula, which Tim reported was "a finger-shaped landform almost entirely surrounded by water except where it connects to the mainland." The road narrowed to allow for the houses on either side as well as short, tapered streets lined up to the right and left all along the point. Each lane was filled with homes crowded in next to each other, more representative of Poplar than anything they had seen since their arrival.
The right side of the peninsula faced the ocean, while the left overlooked a sheltered bay. Tim alerted Patrick to an available parking spot and he turned the car into one of the small lanes on the left, pulling in just far enough so the car would be clear of the main road.
"Best leave the car right here," Patrick remarked, "I'm not used to the size of it, compared to the MG or even the Zodiac, besides I don't think there is any way I can turn it around in this small space when it's time to leave."
Tim leaned forward from the backseat and laughed, "Good plan. You're having enough trouble remembering which side of the road to drive on."
"I'll be sure to remember that in a few months when you're learning to drive," Patrick chuckled.
"If you two are finished," Shelagh smiled, "there's plenty of unloading to do. But it's not a far walk...oh look, Angela, you can see the bay from here!"
Angela stood up from her seat, looked out through the windshield and gasped, "I see it! Let's go!" she sang out, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Patrick and Timothy climbed out of the car, grinning in response to Angela's joy, and walked round to the boot.
"We'll all need to carry something, dearest," Shelagh advised her daughter. "Daddy and Timmy will help with the heavy things but you can carry your sand pail and shovel while I take Teddy." The little girl nodded. Once she had received her sand toys, she took Shelagh's hand and they walked down the short street to find three cement steps that led up to the beach.
Even before they reached the stairs they could see a long, narrow strip of sand and the bay spread out in front of them, calm and peaceful, almost like a lake. A few sailboats drifted by on the stretch of water and beyond that were more homes clustered on a small island which ran parallel to the peninsula.
Shelagh helped Angela navigate the steps and chuckled at her squeal when her feet first met the sand. "You're a bit wobbly, dearest, and do try to keep your shoes on until we get settled," but Angela was already kicking them off. Shaking her head at her stubborn daughter, she glanced down the sand and caught sight of a large tree, the one Mrs Bartlett had described as inexplicably growing right on the beach and offering welcome shade to the many young families who enjoyed this side of the peninsula. After waiting for Angela to pick up her sandals, she led her down the beach toward the tree.
As they reached its shelter she let go of Angela and waved to Timothy and Patrick in the distance. Turning her eyes back to her wee girl, who was halfway to the water's edge by that point, she called out, "Wait for me, Angela!" Toting Teddy with her, she caught up to the little lass and took her hand again. "We have to be careful near the water; you need one of us with you if you would like to go in."
Angela nodded energetically, "I want to go in!" she asserted.
"I can see that," Shelagh smiled, "but you've still got your dress on over your bathing costume and I need to take my shoes off and Teddy's as well." Angela sighed, but followed her mummy back to the tree where Patrick was lining up their bags and picnic basket while Tim laid out a few of the beach blankets.
"Angela is desperate for a paddle," Shelagh informed them as she helped the child out of her dress and placed the garment into one of the bags.
"Of course she is!" Patrick leaned down and playfully tapped Angela's nose, "and I wonder what kind of seashells you will find while we're here?" While father and daughter giggled, Shelagh slipped out of her sandals and began to remove Teddy's shoes.
Timothy, finished with the towels, spoke up, "I'd quite like to explore the other side of the peninsula."
"But we've just got here!" Shelagh exclaimed.
Patrick reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Not to worry," he soothed, "you take these two for their paddle and Tim and I will see what the ocean side of this landform has to offer." Shelagh huffed and he ran his hand along her arm in a calming gesture. "We'll be back before too long for family time and a bite of lunch," he added, satisfied with her small smile of acceptance.
"Bye, Daddy! Bye, Timmy!" Angela called, tugging her mother back toward the water. Patrick leaned down to quickly kiss Shelagh's cheek, and with that the boys took their beach towels and set off, leaving Shelagh and the little ones to dip their feet into the bay.
"It's cold!" Angela shrieked, happily splashing about. Shelagh set Teddy down, the damp sand was firmer near the water's edge and he was able to toddle along the shoreline. Now that her hands were free she could finally adjust her sunglasses; they didn't fit as well as she would have liked but at least they kept her eyes from watering. Angela had waded as far as her knees and was swinging her arms out to her sides, flitting her fingertips along the top of the water.
"That's far enough, dearest," Shelagh reminded her, "you'll have to wait for Daddy and Timmy to take you deeper."
"Yes, Mummy." Angela stayed where she was and watched a coast guard boat motor by. A few moments later she giggled as the small, rippling waves left by it's wake reached her. Teddy, who had been entertaining himself with repeatedly picking up small handfuls of sand and throwing them into the sea, looked up and took a step in her direction. As soon as his toes touched the cold water he startled and ran back to his mother for a cuddle. Catching sight of several seagulls on the sand behind her, he moved to follow them up the beach.
Shelagh called to her daughter, "Angela, it's time to come out of the bay! Fetch your sand pail and we'll try our hand searching for seashells!" The little girl emerged, water dripping from her tiny legs, and ran to find the items she had left under the tree. Joining her mother and brother, she frowned, scratching at the sand that had stuck to her wet skin. Shelagh advised her to rinse off in the water and then the three of them began a leisurely stroll along the seaside. Angela cheerfully picked up small shells, collecting them in her bucket, while Teddy chased sandpipers and tried to stay on his feet.
A light breeze ruffled through Shelagh's hair. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the beach here was serene and relaxing. Several other families were scattered along its length, but so few it almost felt like their own private oasis. Adding to this perfection was the salty scent of the sea air and the distant cries of seabirds along with small boats gliding by at peaceful intervals. She was enjoying this time with her two little ones, sharing in their happy discoveries, and she felt a little ashamed about her earlier frustration with Patrick and Timothy. Of course Tim would want to spread his wings a bit, after having been so tied to the neighbourhood thus far, and it was kind of Patrick to accompany him. Truth be told, she wouldn't have been able to relax had he gone off on his own.
They had spent their first full day in America catching up on sleep and being warmly doted on by the Bartlett family. Mary, although a quiet child, shared Tim's interest in books and board games and the two ticked along as nicely as if they were similarly aged siblings. Mrs Bartlett was happy to lend a hand with Teddy and Angela, giving Shelagh time to recover from her jet lag, while the professor left a stack of scholarly journals for Dr and Mrs Turner to peruse at their leisure. Comforting meals and strong cups of coffee were kindly made available, even at odd hours, and by the next day all five Turners were better attuned to Pacific Standard Time.
On Sunday morning the two families walked to the local church for services; Shelagh was impressed with the beautiful woodwork and stained glass while Tim was amazed by the highly skilled organist. The highlight for the rest of the family had been the donuts served on the front lawn afterwards. Later that evening the Bartlett's neighbours welcomed them with something called a Progressive Dinner. The adults on the Bartlett's end of the street walked from house to house, with each one hosting a different part of the meal: cocktails and starters, soup and salad, main course, and dessert. The event started early enough that the children were able to take advantage of the daylight and entertain themselves outdoors. Each of the families had been extremely gracious and very friendly, and Shelagh felt honoured by their hospitality.
Halfway through her reverie, Shelagh turned the two children around and they were almost parallel to their tree when Teddy lost his balance and sat down with some force on an area of hard sand covered with an inch or two of cold water. His unhappy wail communicated his displeasure and even mummy's cuddles would not console him. The threesome returned to their beach blankets and Shelagh prepared a bottle for him. His eyelids drooped as he drained the milk and she laid him down to sleep on one towel, while she and Angela quietly sorted and categorized her seashells on the other.
As Shelagh chatted with Angela she began to prepare her for the plans set for the next few days, when she and Patrick would visit the hospital. The children were to stay behind to play with the Bartletts and their new friends. She reminded Angela this wasn't just a holiday for the family, it involved some work for mummy and daddy as well. She was hopeful this would be met with acceptance; the neighbourhood girls were besotted with Angela and Teddy, treating them almost as little English dolls to dress up and pamper. At one point during the previous evening they were rolled by in a wheelbarrow dressed as a wee prince and princess. Shelagh felt comfortable knowing Timothy was looking out for the little ones, even as he fended off the attentions of a few of the older girls. Apparently, his accent was considered quite charming. She wondered if her husband's was having a similar effect on the American women.
Suppressing a giggle, she reassured herself that her current choice in swimwear would keep him in the palm of her own hand. One evening, back in Poplar, when she was thumbing through the Sears catalogue, Patrick leaned over her shoulder and cheekily expressed interest in a yellow two-piece bathing costume which practically jumped off the page. She hadn't really needed a new one, her sunsuit from their South Africa trip would have sufficed, but she liked the idea of surprising him and felt a certain boldness knowing they would be too far from home for anyone she knew to see her wearing it. So she made the purchase and had it delivered to the Bartlett's home along with the rest of the family's catalogue order. At the present time, however, it was still beneath her cover up which she hadn't yet had the nerve to remove.
As if summoned by her thoughts, Patrick and Timothy appeared down the sand, their own bathing costumes soaking wet. Timothy had removed his matching cabana shirt in an effort, Shelagh assumed, to blend in with the local boys. Patrick had kept his on but in it's dampness it clung to his chest somewhat...pleasantly; she hoped her blush wasn't noticeable.
She put her finger to her lips and gestured to Teddy, dozing beside her. Keeping their voices low, they told of their adventures. "The waves over there are outta sight!" Tim exclaimed.
"Three days in and he's already adept at speaking American," Patrick commented wryly.
Tim laughed, "C'mon, Dad, you know they were!"
Patrick agreed with a grin, "Apparently, we were body surfing." At Shelagh's look of confusion he clarified, "riding into the beach on the crest of the wave, without a surfboard-"
"Because we were the board!" Tim interrupted.
"Tim is embracing the American culture," Patrick quipped. "But it was quite exhilarating," he confirmed, before turning his attention to Angela, eager to inspect her collection of seashells and to hear about her morning.
"Timothy," Shelagh observed, "if you insist on keeping your shirt off, you will need to apply more suncream; we're not used to this much sun!"
"I'll put it back on, Mum," he sighed as he shrugged into his shirt, "besides, I thought I'd take Angela down the road to get an ice cream. I remembered Mrs Bartlett said there was a shop not far from here."
Angela was on her feet the minute she heard Tim say the word ice cream. Patrick dug into one of the bags for his wallet while Shelagh helped Angela into her dress and shoes. After reminders for Angela to stay right with Timmy, and for neither of them to spoil their lunch, the two headed in the direction of the promised treat.
Looking around, Patrick remarked, "It's a very different crowd on the other side of the street; a lot more teenagers, most of them quite underdressed." He shook his head, then eyed her cover up, "speaking of which, are you afraid of getting too much sun?"
"I might have been," she said, undoing the first few buttons, "but now I have you to help with the suncream. It's in the blue bag over there, right next to your sunglasses." While he searched for it, she took a deep breath to steady herself. Her new bathing costume wasn't really that much different from her sunsuit, just a little shorter and missing the fabric around her middle, maybe a bit more fitted on top...she slid out of her wrap and tossed it aside, keeping her eyes on Patrick. He turned back with the bottle in his hand and froze, then puffed out a startled breath. Slowly, his features transformed into a rather satisfied expression as he took in the sight of his delightfully appealing wife.
Attempting to find his voice, he stammered, "What are you wearing?"
"A little treat for you, I should think," Shelagh flirted. "I noticed you liked the picture in the catalogue."
"That I did," he murmured appreciatively, angling his head to the side to extend his view, "and you were right to worry about the suncream." She moved toward him to tap the bottle with her finger and he looked down at it as if just remembering that he held it in his hands. Smiling broadly at the task set before him, he began applying the cream to her shoulders and then, when she turned around, her back. His hands were purposeful, yet gentle, and she closed her eyes in contentment.
Long leisurely moments passed until an agitated huff from her husband disturbed their peace. She looked back in time to see him sigh dramatically, "I just remembered we have very little privacy in our current bedroom."
Shelagh smiled sweetly, "We have found ways around that complication before…"
His disappointment faded, replaced with a rakish grin, just as Teddy began to stir. "You need to work on your timing, young man," Patrick laughed, ruffling the little boy's hair. Teddy beamed at his daddy, using him as leverage to pull himself up.
In an attempt to keep him from toddling off, Shelagh began to set out the lunch. She handed Patrick a banana for Teddy and he served him small pieces while Shelagh unpacked the rest of their picnic. Anticipating the impending arrival of Angela, and particularly Timothy, she slipped her arms back into her cover up, but made a compromise for Patrick and left it unbuttoned.
When the children returned, the family enjoyed a lovely and unhurried, picnic lunch. As Shelagh cleared it away, Timothy and Patrick built sandcastles with the little ones. Tim helped Angela create traditional castles with seashell windows and water-filled moats while Patrick stacked sand just so Teddy could knock it down. Shelagh rummaged through the bags until she found their camera and captured several memories of their California beach day.
By now since they were thoroughly covered with sand, and warmed from the sun, the Turners ventured out into the bay. Patrick and Timothy took turns between swimming and helping Angela learn to float on her back. Later she giggled happily while riding on Tim's shoulders as he waded out as far and he could stand and she was even brave enough to float in her daddy's arms as he swam across the shallow areas. Shelagh, having left her wrap back with their bags, waded out to her waist with Teddy in her arms. He was content to watch the fun from the safety of his mummy's grasp but participated by kicking his little feet in the cool water. Shelagh shifted him on her hip as she took it all in, soon the sun would begin to set and this blissful day would come to an end; tomorrow they had work to do. Teddy directed her attention to several passing sailboats and they watched them float by with the sound of happy laughter in the background. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Timothy lean in toward Patrick. They spoke quietly, but their voices carried across the water.
"So Mum's new bathing costume..." Tim muttered.
"Yes," Patrick raised his eyebrows, "it looks as if she's embraced America as well."