The View from the Deck

  The golden rays of the sun beamed down on the boy sitting in front of the umbrella. The warmth seeped all the way into his bones like a hug from Heaven. With shovel in hand, the boy dug up all the sand around him and put it into his pail, ready to build a masterpiece of a sand castle to stun his aloof mother. The pail was packed down with sand, but before the boy could start his work, a familiar voice interrupted him. “Come on in, Tommy! I need a partner to help me take on these waves!”

  Tommy looked down at his pail, the potential to build an extravagant structure sat in a tiny bin of plastic. Tommy’s mind tossed and turned between the waves, or his castle, each option tugging at his youthful heart. But alas, the call to adventure was much too strong. “Coming, Dad!’ 

  The boy charged towards the ocean before him to meet his father’s side. The rushing waves seemed daunting, but Tommy had no fear. As long as he was with Dad, everything would be fine. “Alright kiddo, let’s go have an adventure,” the father said as his son caught up to him. Tommy could only muster a cheesy grin in response. 

  The water sent chills throughout Tommy’s body, but he pressed on out of sheer excitement. The waves were rough, each one slamming into the two like a shotgun. By the time one wave would pass, another would be prepared to knock Tommy down again. The boy’s perseverance was fueled by his father. As long as Dad is here, no waves can stop me. However, after an hour of being barraged, even Tommy’s father was worn out. 

  “Phew, sorry Tommy, but your old man needs a break. Why don’t you go work on your sand castle for a while?” 

  Tommy was still on an adrenaline high, with no end in sight. “You go take a breather Dad, I’m gonna fight these waves myself.” 

  The father hesitated for a moment. “Remember Tommy, if it gets too rough out here, or you get tired, just swim back to shore. Don’t get yourself hurt.”

  Tommy chuckled, “It’s just water Dad, I’ll be fine.”

  Tommy’s father sighed. “Well, I’ll keep an eye out for ya.” 

  With that, the boy turned away from the buildings in the distance to face the waves in front of him. All his cares vanished as he fought to withstand the force of his opponent. Soon, even Tommy’s youthful energy dwindled. Maybe I should go finish my sandcastle. Tommy ignored his inhibitions, and continued to charge into the waves without a care in the world. That was until, one wave hit too soon. Tommy’s entire body was slammed underwater, the force spun him around like a bug in a toilet bowl. He was dragged through the sand so forcefully, he feared his own skin would be ripped off. 

 Tommy found himself being carried to shore in the arms of his father. The salt water made his eyes sting, and the inside of his nose burned more harshly than a sunburn ever could. The boy turned his head and spit in an attempt to get the fishy taste of the ocean out of his mouth, to no avail. His skin felt raw after being dragged across the sand like a ragdoll. “Dad, I think the waves won.”

  The father chuckled, “It’s okay Tommy, we’ve still got a few days of vacation left to come back and get our revenge. You just rest for a while.” The boy frowned. 

  “Well, now I get to work on my sandcastle.”

  Tommy’s father nodded, “There you go. That oughta keep you busy.”

  The two reached their sky blue umbrella. Tommy’s mother laid on her pink towel, not even batting an eye at her son’s injuries. “Don’t go out into that water again, unless Dad goes with you.” She said coldly.

  “Yes ma’am,” Tommy responded. The boy sat back down in front of the umbrella, and looked towards his pail. His sand was still packed neatly inside, but he could do nothing but stare at it blankly.