Shorties: Number 12

This is an excerpt from my story Driftwood


Nick woke up and realized his feet were on the floor as his body went across the bed.  The sun was considerably lower in the sky. His stomach told him it was time go to the hotel restaurant. Since it was low season, there were few people in the hotel. The waitress was very polite but her English was limited. She knew the English words related to the job of waiting tables and food service but when Nick asked about how to get to town, she stammered for a moment and then said, "Sorry, I no know how say."

The hostess spoke English well and suggested Nick take a walk on the private beach behind the pool. She impressed upon him the importance of carrying his room key since that was the only way back through the gate onto the hotel grounds.

Nick always liked the ocean and after charging the meal to his room account, he walked to the rear of the property. He could hear the waves rolling in as he passed the pool. He saw lights from other properties that lined the beach. Once he went through the gate he was unsure which direction to go. He decided to head north, to his right. He walked just a few feet when he noticed a large object on the beach. He got closer and turned on his phone to shed some light on it.  It was a large, worn and torn log. It was a piece of driftwood.  He touched it, felt around and determined it had no sharp or dangerous spots on it. He decided to sit down for a while.

He looked out over the waves that attacked and retreated from the shore. He could see white breakers some distance from shore. He just sat, soaking in the nature around him. He also loved being around water. Something about it soothed his soul. Though his heart was still broken over the loss of his wife, he enjoyed this moment anyway.

Nick still felt awkward being alone. Everyone he saw had someone with them. Either they had a spouse or significant other or a family that accompanied them. Nick was alone.

It was his oldest daughter, Jennifer, who was the most vocal about him traveling alone. Nick complained he would feel like a third wheel. That is exactly how he felt being there alone. Still, Jenny insisted he needed to find out who he was apart from family. She said that since he and Gwen were high school sweethearts, he knew no other life. If he had to stumble around feeling awkward to find himself, so be it. Besides, he already had a hotel and flight reservations.

Nick pondered for a moment when it means to find yourself. Yes, he did feel lost. When you are used to driving a car and you are suddenly forced to start piloting a UFO, the complexities can blow you away. That was how Nick saw it anyway. He said softly, "God I wish You had told me You were going to change things mid stream." Then he felt stupid for saying that. She had cancer. He got a notice of her death years before it happened. A pang of guilt hit him. He didn't feel like crying but all he could think to say was, "Shit!" and started back to his room.