The Cerulean Gulf

"Bird!" Carl pointed at a silhouette soaring high in the clear blue sky.

"Yes," Nesa smiled nervously, swallowing her fear.

The day was warm, and the breeze was pleasant and smelled like the ocean. The waters in the gulf were cerulean and sparkled in the sunlight, and the cries of seagulls filled the air. Lush tropical vegetation filled the surroundings, making the area look like paradise. Yet, despite all the surrounding beauty, anxiety stirred in Nesa's chest. She didn't want to be there, every nerve in her body was screaming at her to get away, but when her best friend's seven-year-old son begged to be taken to the gulf, she simply couldn't say no to his puppy dog eyes. He meant the world to her, and for him, she would face her fears; at the least, she would try.

"Can we please go swimming in the gulf?" Carl tugged at Nesa's arm.

"NO," Nesa snapped, her heartbeat spiking. "We promised we wouldn't go near the water."

Carl pouted. "Just the edge. Please!"

"Carl, we're not going near the water," Nesa said, her voice growing stern.

"Alright," Carl conceded, his head falling.

Guilt stung Nesa, but it was still mild compared to her rising unease.

"Can we at least go to the sand?" Carl pleaded.

Nesa turned to look at the secluded beach and drew a deep breath. "Alright." Keeping her gaze away from the water, she grabbed Carl's hand and slowly marched towards the white sand of the beach, leaving the soft green grass behind. The beach was empty and quiet, the only sound filling the air being the gentle rush of water, the whistling of the breeze, and the cries of birds. Nesa found a well-shaded spot below a tall palm tree that was as far away from the water as possible while still being on the beach and settled there.

"Yay!" Carl darted away from the shade and started playing about in the nearby sand.

"Stay away from the water!" Nesa called after him.

Carl sat down and started piling up the sand. He then stood up and pointed at the shimmering blue waves that gently lapped the shore. "I need to get water to build my sandcastle."

"No," Nesa said. She reached into her bag and pulled out a water bottle. "Use this," she passed the bottle to the child.

Carl smiled and sat back down. He uncapped the bottle and began building his sand sculpture.

Time started to fly by, and Nesa finally started to relax a bit, her eyes taking in the clear skies. Soon the tranquillity started to lull her into a slumber. With a heavy-lidded gaze, Nesa studied Carl, noticing him concentrating hard on his rudimentary sand sculpture. Don't fall asleep! Nesa instructed herself. Blinking her drowsiness away, she sat up.

"I need more water!" Carl said, showing Nesa the empty bottle.

"That's all we have, Carl," Nesa said.

Carl turned and looked at the water, "Please, can I just go and fill up the bottle?"

"No!"

"Please!"

"Carl, we're not going near the water," Nesa asserted, "It's not a discussion!"

Tears welled in Carl's eyes, "My mom would've allowed me."

Nesa slumped her shoulders, guilt stabbing at her chest. The child just wanted to have some fun, and she was holding him back because of her inhibitions. "Alright, Carl," Nesa sighed, "But you can only go near the very edge of the water and fill your bottle, alright?"