May 11th, 2009
I heard the seagulls before I even saw the beach. They flocked above the train of cars as if they were leading us to the sand, to the water. Some kids in a mini van a couple cars in front of us were throwing food out the window, attracting a large portion of the birds to that area of the road. As we drove past it, Josh grumbled something about them doing their business on his windshield.
"Well," I said slowly, already smiling. "They recognize that it's a crappy car, and so they are going to…mark it with crap." I started laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of what I had just said. Josh shot me a look, telling me to respect Jude, his red 2000 Pontiac Grand Am, named for his favorite Beatles song. But as I continued to laugh, Josh finally cracked a smile and soon he was laughing too.
"Okay, okay, so that was a good one. You are so modest," he said sarcastically, allowing me to lean over and kiss the corner of his mouth before traffic started moving again.
By now, I could see the hot sand and a sliver of blue water beyond it. Between the tall weeds, I could see random splashes of colors, kids and adults alike in bathing suits. As we pulled into the parking lot, I could make out numerous dots along the water, with buckets piled up next to them. The sandcastle-building contest wasn't supposed to be for another month, but it looked as though everyone had chosen today to practice their skills.
Josh and I ditched our towels and shoes a good fifteen feet away from any kid or sandcastle-builder before running full speed into the waves. I gasped as the cold water hit my stomach, laughing as Josh pulled me out further before dunking me under. When I resurfaced he was right in front of me, wiping the water out of my eyes. I smiled sweetly at him, pretending to reach out and touch the slight curl of hair at his temple, and instead pushing him down under with one hand.
By the time he resurfaced I was treading water five feet out from him, taunting. When he wiped the water out of his eyes and saw me out there, his face fell and he shrugged, turning to head back to the beach.
"Josh, wait!" I called, wondering what was wrong. I swam after him quickly, happy that he at least let me catch up to him.
"Josh," I said again, softer, touching his shoulder. Right as my fingers touched his skin, however, he whirled around and lifted me up in one fluid motion.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, flailing in the air as he carried me out a couple feet deeper. "Josh, this is not funny! Josh!" But then I was laughing, as he launched me at least four feet away from him.
"Tory," someone whispered, their breath tickling my ear. I giggled, rolling away. But Josh pulled me back, kissing me until I opened my eyes.
"I was sleeping!" I exclaimed half-heartedly, shoving him away from me and sitting up. Most of the beach had cleared and the sun was low on the horizon, reflecting orange on the water. An older couple walked by us, in tennis shoes and golf polos, out for their evening stroll.
"And you've been sleeping for almost three hours. I woke up because my stomach was telling me to feed it and then as I was sitting here watching you sleep-" Here, he didn't even flinch, just reaching out to trace random patterns on my stomach. "-your stomach grumbled and I knew it was time to go get some food."
I smiled, grabbing his hand and kissing his fingers, one by one.
"Then what did you have in mind?" I asked him, as he pulled me up and grabbed our towels, leading me back to the car.
Dates have been added to the previous two chapters. I figure it will help you keep it straight. -zoomie