Stories Spun by Scenes

The Dock

I listened to the old chipped screen door slam shut behind me as I continued with my stride, phone in my small, delicate hand. "You said you would be here..." I pouted my large freshly lip-glossed hot pink lips as I whispered quietly to my long distance boyfriend, who had a major problem with ever showing up when we had a chance.

"I know, but it's just, something came up, hon..."

Excuses, I sighed. Instead of continuing with my despair over him not being here, I let anger bubble through me as I shook my head, causing my auburn shaded hair to flip into my face. "Fine," I simply replied, and clicked the blinking red hang-up button on my phone.

I crouched down on the worn porch steps, resting my head on one of my tiny hands. I had blown off my sister and her kids coming to see me, just because I thought he was coming. I should've suspected he'd blow it; especially today.

No, I will not let him cause me another tear to shed; I thought and quickly jumped up on to my feet, not bothering to go back inside for shoes. It was a hot summer evening, and I could hear the crickets beginning their nightly euphony and the pesky flies buzzing through the air. I started on my way around my old country house with its worn white wooden sides with so many cracks and holes it looked more like a shed. I thought it was charming, despite its fence line being composed entirely of weeds and overgrown grass.

My toes squished through the dirt, slurping and making sucking noises when I occasionally tread through pockets of mud. I loved the feel of it though, so soft and squishing as it grabbed at my toes and clung to my feet even long after I've walked away. The grass was a deep green blue color, similar to the fresh rain forest leaves, and sometimes Green Giant green beans. The mud was a deep chocolaty color, which would seem inviting, until you remember it’s mud.

I picked up my pace, running through the weeds and dirt. I made my own pathway about a half a mile behind the house, until I spotted my destination. The sun was just starting to set, and the sky looked as though it was just freshly painted by God himself. The blues faded to grays only to be made into a more vibrant orange color, bringing the sky to life.

I felt an ear to ear smile stretch across my face and I forgot all about Shane, my boyfriend. I ran even faster, as though I was reaching for a finish line that would award me a million dollars. I didn't even slow my pace as I reach the start of the hard wooden dock, with its uneven boards and stray nails. I should've slowed; I realized a bit too late, as I let out a blood curdling scream from the nail just then being lodged into my foot.

I lost my footing and fell straight on my derriere, howling, screeching, and holding onto my foot tightly as I squeezed my eyes shut to ward off the tears that were already streaming down my face. I screamed a long list of profanities as I used my newly manicured finger nails to quickly yank the nail from my dirty feet and frustratingly toss it into the water with a satisfying plunk.

I stayed in that position for a while, knees to chest, with my hand wrapped tightly around my foot, hoping all of the pain would go away soon. It hadn't gone deep, but it had gone enough to make me throw a fit. The setting red sun danced across my shoulders and back, enveloping me in its warmth. It added a gleam to my long curly auburn hair and it lit up my white porcelain skin.

When I finally decide to move, I stood unsteadily with most of my weight balanced on my right leg, the one unaffected by the recent catastrophe. I hobbled the rest of the way until I made it to the very end of the dock, and I slowly edged myself down until I was sitting with my legs dangling over the side.

Great mountains towered over the open water, as if protecting it from the outside world. The quiet little area where my shanty house was located eventually leads out into the wide open sea, so there's always a constant presence of waves drifting to the shore.

A few waves got large enough to lap against the bottom of my feet for a moment, but then quickly died down and continued rolling to the shore. I closed my eyes, breathing in the sea salt and smells of summer. I heard the waves crashing against the shore making a hush, hush sound. The crickets had kicked up their tune as the sky darkened just the slightest bit. A few stray frogs joined into the orchestra with their ribbits and croaks.

My friendly neighbors, the DesVeigns, were having a barbecue. I could smell its aroma wafting through the air, bringing my nostrils a pleasant memory of so many summers spent with my family having end of the summer parties.

Oh, how I wished summer would never end.

The tide was coming in, so the waves kicked up another notch, this time making big enough waves to crash over my feet gently. When the first wave hit, I quickly recoiled with my left foot, as the salt seeped into the open wound. I bit my lip to keep from shouting. The water hit and I nearly cried out in pain four or five more times, but I knew the water is healing, so I fought to keep my foot held still as the ocean worked its magic. By the sixth time, it felt perfect, and I enjoyed the feeling of the fresh cool night liquid dancing around my toes; washing away the mud, dirt, grass, and blood from my escapade earlier on. It was cleansing much more than my feet. It washed over me, holding on a bit as if to draw me in. It beckoned for me to come swim, and I almost did; when I heard the sound of deep breathing and heavy footsteps running towards me.

I quickly pounced up onto my feet defensively, only to see my beloved Shane running like an idiot down the length of the dock. His blond hair had grown since I last saw him, long enough to cover his eyebrows and brush right above his beautiful sky blue eyes. It flounced and swished across his head as he ran. He was carrying two fire-engine red plastic chairs, one under each strong burly arm, and he had somehow managed to carry a basket clenched between his teeth. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest for him, and I remembered how badly I had missed him. "Thalia!" He shouted to me, sending the basket collapsing onto the dock.

I giggled behind my hand and ran over to help him, the pain in my foot now all gone. I retrieve the delectable sandwich that had just fallen out of the basket along with two bottled waters and a variety of fruits.

"One minute rule," I shrugged as I placed them back safely into the light brown basket and helped Shane carry the plastic lawn chairs to the end of the dock. I didn't want to carry it; I wanted to hug him for God's sake! It had been four months after all!

Chairs in place, basket refilled, I jumped on to Shane, throwing my arms around his neck and wrapping my legs around his torso. I kissed his neck with about ten little pecks, saying how badly I missed him and oh, how I loved him.

I felt his muscular arms reach around my slender back invitingly as he replied the same, and we finally managed to break apart. Scooting the chairs closer together, I placed my feet in his lap and we held hands. Holding so tight it felt like my hand was breaking, but I would never draw away from him. He reached down and pulled out a dull white candle and a lighter from the basket. I felt my face flush as I flashed a large smile at him. He lit the vanilla scented candle, lightly setting it on the dock right below us. Vanilla mixed with the now night air as it spiraled with the wind, attacking my sense of smell again. He handed me a slice of watermelon, which he knew is my favorite. I dug in, feeling the delicious red fruit breaking into my mouth, sending cool fruity liquid dissolving onto my taste buds.

"Didn't think I'd make it for our anniversary, eh?" Shane asked me, right after I had taken an enormous mouthful of watermelon. I laughed, sending red juice shooting from my mouth, and I watched a playful smile appear on his lips. I quickly shook my head 'no,' still giggling while I wiped my face off with a pearl white napkin.

"I love you," he said, and leaned forward to bring me the most romantic kiss I've ever had, lighting my body up with warmth and tingles as we kissed, and it was like our souls intertwined. It was the kind of kiss that steals your breath away, and leaves you wanting for one more. But luckily for me, it didn't end.

We paused for a second, gazing into each other’s eyes. I felt filled with love and true happiness, as he looked into my grass green eyes, and I peered into his bright blue orbs.

We collided again and just stayed there, kissing and kissing, never stopping. Under the darkening sky, going from beautiful sunset to clear night sky with a million stars twinkling up above us, with the crickets, frogs, night birds, and many other creatures were singing along, like our very own unique love song.