On the Beach

On the Beach                          

By John W. Vander Velden

The wind blew firmly, cool on his cheeks.   Jacob, deep in thought, walking, the sea on his right, waves breakers crashing on wide white sand beneath the mid-morning sun.  A scent familiar, with the taste of salt, carried by the wind.  Damp sand firm beneath casual steps.  No need for haste, for none shared this beach.  No others sought comfort beneath winter sun or the crescendo of tumbling water and seabirds call.  The plovers racing incoming surf went unnoticed, as the line of pelicans their race above the waves.  Jacob did not see the gulls watching as he passed.  On days when much filled his mind Jacob would escape, seeking solitude.  This day began before sun escaped its watery prison.  The car parked unknown miles behind as hours had past, the only constant wind, sand, waves, and a man walking…alone.  The news given in early morning hours…painful…last hope abandoned.  The words flowed past him…Jacob unwilling to hear.  Yet their seed had found fertile soil…soil deep within.  The seed of those words grew and with that growth shattered what remained of his heart.  Soon he must face her, knowing what he could not accept.  A brave face needed, certainly beyond his ability.  Falling to his knees, beneath the sun, the thunder of surf filling his ears, as sea wind blew his tears away.  Waves washing, splashing thighs, cold yet unfelt as with heart broken Jacob prayed.  There through gasping breaths he pleaded…begging…bargained…willing to give himself…if only…  Through his sobs, unheard among the ocean’s thunder, heart’s questions raised, waiting impatient for any other answer…anything other than doctor’s prognosis.  Fear and pain mixed, the truth’s seed now full grown.  Weak, at last to his feet rising, no answer acceptable found…and yet a feeble beginnings of understanding.  Trembling unsteadily Jacob stood turning, eyes scanning steps behind.  Step prints in wet sand…in places clear…in others waves erased…his tracks lost.  Yet Jacob knew from where he had come…understood destination awaiting…the tracks themselves irrelevant.  As the man drew breaths deep, in the place most solitude, strangely felt not alone.  There on the beach…there where wind blew and waves rushed to shore…there beneath pale sky Jacob understood that pain was shared.  Another closer than his next breath, understood.  The sharing did not take the pain from him.  Yet Jacob knew, from this companion, strength sufficient would come for the darkest days ahead.  A strength…found…on the beach.    

(410 Words)