Gone and Back Again

Chapter 11- It All Started Here

Chapter 11- It All Started Here

It was a typical humid summer day in San Diego, California. The busy tourists starting to flock into town for the weekend to hit the beaches. Living a few blocks away from the beach, Jeremiah had the luxury of walking to it daily, but also lived far enough away to have some peace and quiet.

Jeremiah lived in an condo on the top floor. Having worked hard all his pre-adult years mowing lawns and shoveling snow, he had saved up enough money to lives comfortably and well off. His condo was furnished with a urban touch, perfect for any man. He hoped that once he married Rachel she would like his interior design that he had paid to have professionally arranged. But that was whimsical thinking, knowing that she was a girly girl and would probably want pink walls with floral furniture.

Jeremiah shivered at the thought as he headed to the beach with his surf board. The wind had picked up, and would be great for catching some full waves. He just hoped there wouldn't be a large crowd like the last time he surfed.

"They had their own cheerleading squad, a complete distraction," Jeremiah snickered to himself, walking unto the final street before he reached his destination.

He had walked this street at least a thousand times, having memorized his surroundings by heart. The brick home to the right that seemed to have way to many flowers on their lawn. The house next to that one was yellow with green metal roofing. It supposedly belonged to the nephew of John Deer, but no one knew for sure. Then across the street was a set of condos, painted in hues of green. It seemed to have an eerie state, it being completely vacant. And then, last but not least, the crazy blue house that was full of a bunch of Puerto Ricans.

"Hey Amigo!"

"Hey Sophia, how's it going?" Jeremiah chimed back. Sophia was an elderly woman that had befriended Jeremiah not too long after he moved into his condo. She was a little bit on the loco side, but he didn't mind. She was always there to greet him, chat a bit, and offer him some homemade food.

"Good, good. Where is my little friend going today? Wanting to catch some waves?" She nodded towards the surf board.

"Ah, yeah. I figured today would be a good day."

"Better watch out for those crazy tourist girls. They eat California boys for dessert!"

"Yeah, I'll keep my eye out for sure!"

"How's that pretty girl friend of yours?" Sophia smiled.

"She great. I'm going to ask her to marry me next week!" Jeremiah called back proudly.

"Ata boy! Its about time!"

Jeremiah started to walk on, when Sophia whooped out "Hey, I got some freshly baked tortillas and beans made up. Just wait right there!"

Jeremiah laughed to himself, walking back towards her sidewalk. Waiting, he admired her landscaping. The big bushes that lined the front of her porch, blossoming with big pink flowers. The pebble sidewalk that let to the door, outline with colorful glass jars. She had bird feeders set up all along her grass to attract "her friends" she'd always say. He watched curiously as a green humming bird flew to one of them, sucking its sweet juice. 

 Sophia hobbled back outside with a plate heaped with warm chips and steaming beans.

"Here you go Dear." Sophia handed him the plate, "Now go surf!"

"You don't need to ask me twice," Jeremiah smiled. "Thank you, I will enjoy this!"

Jeremiah sauntered to the end of the street, and across the main road which led to the sandy beach. Looking at his surroundings, he let out a sigh of relief to see the beach mostly clear.

The waves were pretty whippy, but that didn't scare Jeremiah off. He hadn't been to the beach in a couple of weeks due to work, and he wasn't going to let some choppy waves scare him off.

"Now to wax this baby," Jeremiah said laying his surf board in the sand. He then tenderly ran the wax bar across the red board with ease. Surfing was a stress outlet, having learnt when he was just a child. He loved the way the water would surge beneath the board, and carry his body through the pleasant wind. His father had taught him how to surf, his mother persistent that he would fail. But when Jeremiah had caught a wave standing his first try, no one doubted his natural skill.

Finishing, Jeremiah waltzed confidently towards the ocean, "Let do this!" He gleefully yelled, a sudden surge of energy filling his bones.

He ran through the waves deeper and deeper with such force and intensity. He felt one with the water, as if they knew him and he knew them intimately. It was electrifying.

Having gone out far enough, he pushed himself unto his board, and sat there hoping for a good wave to come.  He could see one forming on the horizon, picking up speed. A smile spread across his face as he prepared. Crouching on his knees down on the board, he inhaled deeply. His heart raced, adrenaline kicking in. He then let out a Indian-like war cry, waving his arms triumphantly in the air.

"IEEE IEEE! Yooooo!" Jeremiah hollered.

He just couldn't resist himself when it came to surfing. It was apart of who he was.

Right as the wave came turning faster and faster picking up water, something caught his eye to the right. He wanted to catch this fantastic wave, but the object was distracting. Closing his eyes, he let the wave wash over him harshly, and then looked for the once seen object. After a few moments he saw it again a little farther out.

"This better be interesting, otherwise I'm going to be mad I missed that wave," He grunted. Paddling the board, he quickly got to the object floating in the water.

"What could possibly be that large floating all the way out here?" Jeremiah muttered, almost reaching it. When he got to it he covered his mouth in disbelief. All he could do was stare wide-eyed.

"What?" He managed to sputter.

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