Avoiding the Memory of You

Four

Gwyneth

    My eyes are beginning to cross as I stare back at my computer screens. Images of the last five sessions I've captured all sitting between the queue to go into editing and folders of completed sessions waiting to be sent off to their respective clients. 

  I've holed myself up in my little loft office area for the last three days. Outside of letting the dogs out for a quick potty break, I haven't left the house. I've been living off of coffee and ramen.  And with a quick sniff I now realize I haven't showered in a couple of days either.  

  I swear Goliath snickers, as if to say 'and you wonder why you're single.'

  "I never said anything about being single," I respond to the poor dog who literally rolls his eyes at me. 

  Teenie strolls over to join our imaginary conversation. One sniff at me and the poor dog sneezes.

  "Fine. I get the point."

  Begrudgingly, but oh so necessary, I hit save on the photograph I was in the middle of editing before I run the next batch through Lightroom to prep for my next marathon later this afternoon.  

  Both dogs follow me downstairs, figuring when I pass through the kitchen to my room that I'll toss them each a treat. They know me well, as that's exactly what I do. I'm so predictable that I'm not surprised to also find a voicemail on my cell from Lucy wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth since I've not graced Bama Sands presence in days. 

  I text her back quickly, my eyes jumping out towards the ocean. I swear it's beckoning me as the sun is beginning to set.  

  Maybe a quick jump in the ocean, a bite to eat from the restaurant and I can pull an all nighter and get these last couple sessions sent off to their owners.  I've met plenty of people around here that believe a frolic in the ocean is equivalent to washing the dirt off.  

  I tell Lucy to have my  usual ready for me to pick up about eight-thirty.  Deciding to forego a bathing suit and just take my chances in my shorts and tank top, I call out to the dogs to meet me at the back door. 

  If it was about three hours later I might even entertain the idea of skinny dipping for the first time.

  They're trying to crawl up the door, their nails scratching wildly at the wood the closer I get. "Get down," I tell them both sternly.  "Ya gotta move if you wanna go out." One pair of blue eyes and another set of big browns peer up at me, tongues hanging out like I just told them they're each getting a steak for dinner. 

  When I open the door, they take off. Thankfully they've been out on the beach enough to know their stopping points. But I laugh at the freedom they show, running with abandon. 

  Looks fun.

  I glance around the beach as I take a few steps. It's empty at this time of day which surprises me because our sunsets are amazing. But, I'm not going to complain. 

  With a small squeal, I follow along behind the dogs. I run through the sand feeling like a little girl again.  When my toes reach the edge of the ocean, I don't stop.  A few more steps of jogging into the water and I dive.

  The water is cool, refreshing. I'd venture to say it's nearly the perfect temperature, although part of me was hoping it would be colder so that it might shock my system a bit for the upcoming late night. 

  I know my time needs to be quick so I dive under the water once more and head back towards the shore.  Swiping my hands over my hair to get it out of my face, I wipe away the excess water from my face as I stand to walk out of the water.