Dark Beach - By Lauren Ash Page 0,23
It’s as if I could look down the shore and see him standing there, just off in the distance.”
“The beach—it’s alive, roaring,” said Jenny. “I love it.”
“It is indeed. Even in the rain. It’s dark, our dark beach.”
They both smiled.
“I’ll take it. I love clouds.” Jenny said, gazing out at the dark dunes.
* * *
Sleep escaped her. Jenny battled away, tossing on the bed, and then decided to get up and go and open the chest.
She checked in on Kip, who was sound asleep. Then she pulled on a heavy red-hooded sweater and slipped out the back patio door. It was dark, and freezing wind sluiced the rain against the windows. Jenny shivered. The basement wasn’t that much more comforting, illuminated only by the dangling bulb and the thin moonlight.
“Okay, it’s just us now,” Jenny told the chest, looking at the pick. “And I’m crazy.” She hoped whatever was inside would be worth the trouble.
It was.
The lid creaked open to reveal a delicate, seashell-beaded jewelry box. Inside were strands of pearls and earrings to match, a diamond ring, a ruby ring, and some odd turquoise and silver southwestern-style rings that were heavily tarnished.
“My, my!” Jenny slipped the ruby ring on and held it up. It was tight on her finger and it glinted in the light. She tugged at it. Stuck. Damn, she thought. Oh well, apparently no one has missed it for years.
There were some old tapes as well, a pile of doilies—all in shades of blue—and beneath them, a pile of worn spiral notebooks.
Flipping one open, she read: March 2nd. Today has been quite boring. The weather ... should I say more? Maybe I will go for a walk, get some fresh air. The stew is on and the house smells good, so good I almost can’t think from the smell. Still, sometimes I just want to leave this place.
“Hmm, odd.” Jenny flipped through more pages of disorganized writing. The owner’s name was not contained in any of them.
Skipping to the very last page, she continued: ... there was no one when I got there. I couldn’t help but wait. I was all alone, and I didn’t mind. I couldn’t have cared less in that moment. Nothing matters to me anymore.
Jenny sat in silence for a moment, wondering. Then, she picked up the journals and the little jewelry box, turned, shut the door after her, and carried the journals back into the house. When she finally feel asleep she dreamed of nothing.
FOUR
“I don’t know why I’m here; it’s ridiculous,” Jenny whispered to herself.
“What’s that?” asked Kip.
“It’s a supply shop. Come with me.” She unbuckled Kip.
Kurt’s Tackle place looked new, not how she had imagined. It was very clean and very white. She pushed open the glass door. Inside, it was a fisherman’s dream. Every pole, net, and fishing item possible packed the three narrow aisles, cramming the register into the back left-hand corner. Kip eyed it all with delight.
“Come in, come in. Don’t be shy,” came Kurt’s gruff voice. “How may I help you today? Need a pole, some line, lures, a life ring?”
Jenny squeezed down the aisle, all the way to the counter with Kip close behind.
“Or you could sign up for some salmon fishing,” he said. “I have a tour going out in a few hours. There are a couple of spots open.”
Did he not recognize her? Her initial bewilderment was turning into a feeling that she should turn around and get the hell out of there. “I think, well … uh … do you have any tape?” she mumbled, grabbing Kip’s hand to stop her pulling at a display of tackle boxes.
“Tape?” Kurt smiled. “I’m teasing you. I knew you would come.”
Now she most definitely wanted to leave. Instead, she stood as stoic and poker-faced as possible.
“Know how I knew you’d come?”
Jenny shook her head and her sleek ponytail whipped to and fro.
Lowering his voice, Kurt said, “Because you’re looking for something.”
“I am?”
“Yes. You have that look women get.”
“What look?”
“... When they need more.”
“More of what?”
Kurt smiled.
“I have to go.” She turned. “Come on, Kip.”
“Wait!”
She shook her head. “No. No thanks. I have to get home.”
“Come out with me tomorrow—on my boat, at noon. Meet me here. I’ll make you lunch.”
“No…no thanks.” As she left, tugging a curious Kip along after her, she heard him yell that he’d be waiting for her.
* * *
Ron reached up and wiped a trail of sweat and soot from his face. His red-rimmed eyes took in the destroyed dry