Mark DeLancey

Chapter 13

We organised a brief trip for my next two days off. Mark found a place for camping in the bush but right near the beach. It sounded ideal to me.

I didn't want to be searching for food when we got there. I had grown up so powerless over everything, being able to have some control and be somewhat organised was important to me. Mark didn't seem to mind. He helped me plan and get things together. We packed the car the night before and left before daylight the next morning.

The drive took about three and a half hours. Enough time for us to share our favourite music and make fun of each other's taste. Mark made us stop at this little cafe about halfway that served a huge cooked breakfast for next to nothing. I remember being so full I was pretty sure it was pointless bringing any other food for the trip.

The spot Mark chose was perfect. There was hardly anyone camping midweek, which meant we had space to ourselves. We set the tent up, so the door faced the ocean, which we could see from our grassy, tree covered knoll. It was a short stroll from there down through some rushes onto the sand. After we set up, I ran down to the water. I wanted to dip my toes in. The sea was lovely and warm. I had been to the ocean before but I couldn't remember anything specifically so this was a tremendous treat. I breathed the smell and took in the sounds. I wanted to hold it in my mind to create a cherished memory.

Mark came down to the water too, looking out to the horizon. I couldn't resist kicking water on him. He turned and smirked, splashing me back. We ran down the water line splashing each other and being silly. We reached some rocks, climbing over them and looking for creatures in the pools of clear water. The waves crashed over some of them spraying us with foam. We found starfish and little blue crabs that scuttled into the sand. I collected some prettier, less broken shells and put them in the pocket of my shorts.

Mark would point out the ones that housed little hermit crabs, so I put those back. On the way back to camp Mark started collecting wood off the beach for the fire he would make later. When we got back, I grabbed my sleeping bag and blew up my air mattress, then promptly fell asleep.

Later in the afternoon when I woke I looked up from my bed to see Mark sitting leaning back on a log reading, the campfire he had made ready before him to light and the ocean in the background. This scene has become such a vivid memory, I could sketch it. If I could draw.

I lay there for a while just gazing at this pleasant sight, not wanting to disturb it. After a while, Mark looked up and over at me.

"I thought I was being watched."

I smiled lazily. "So, is this what you do when you go camping?"

"Sure. Reading at the beach. It has to be up there for relaxing."

I couldn't argue with that.

After a late lunch Mark suggested a walk. We set off on a track to the left of our campsite and before long I felt the ground beneath me grow steeper. I looked up but I couldn't see where we were heading for the trees. Soon we were almost climbing up a steep rocky track. Tufts of grass littered the sandy trail and trees became hand and footholds as we climbed higher. After about an hour the ground levelled out. We had reached the top. We walked towards the edge where the trees cleared and a stunning panorama appeared before us.

"Oh." There was the ocean as far as our eyes could see.

Mark took off his backpack and passed me a bottle of water. Then he pulled out a rug and some snacks and we sat taking in the view until the sun dropped towards the sea. The sky lit up in its stunning rainbow of colours and I felt a moment of clarity. Like this was where I was meant to be, right here and right now, in this moment and nowhere else.

When the sunset faded to pink and the ocean was growing dark I said, "I hope we can see going back."

"We'll be all right. It won't take as long getting back."

And he was right. We just had to keep an eye on our feet and not trip on any rocks and we were back before long.

I found the camp light, and Mark got the fire going. The night was beautiful. There was a slight chill in the air so the campfire was fitting.

When the fire had created enough coals Mark started preparing our dinner. He roasted corn and potatoes in the hot coals and cooked sausages on a grill that sat over the fire. We toasted the ideal camping spot with beer and settled in for the night.

With dinner finished and dessert taken care of (roasted marshmallows) we started making up stories, which were more funny than scary. The conversation lulled after a while as the fire took effect and I stared into its ethereal patterns.

Mark placed another log as the night deepened and took something from his pocket. Soulful bluesy music filled the air as he skillfully played a harmonica.

As the last notes of the song wafted away on the breeze I looked at him, raising my eyebrows. He smiled shyly, giving a shrug but saying nothing.

"So come on, give us another." I encouraged.

After a few more songs, I found myself being lulled to sleep. Regretfully I got up and grabbed my things, heading to the amenities block. Mark took care of the fire and got ready for bed too. I thought it would be awkward but when I got back Mark was already set up in his swag on the grass not far from the fire. We said good night, and I settled myself in the tent. I didn't want to jinx it but I was sure this was probably the best day I had ever had in my life.