because of that, there aren’t many people who drift down this far.
The sand slipping through my flip-flops is soft and warm as I head in my intended direction. I bypass the spot we normally take the kids to and walk further down the beach.
The alcove comes into view, and I can feel the waves of happiness radiating off Molly.
“It’sss been sooo long sinccce we’vve been here,” she remarks, her eyes trained on our path.
“It’s been too long.”
We used to come a couple times each summer, but it’s been a few years since the last time. Before Molly became sick, we were both too busy with our schedules and the kids. The alcove holds a lot of meaning for us. It was the place where we made love for the first time and where I asked her to marry me. We were also in the alcove when she told me she was pregnant with Gemma.
Mindful of the precious cargo in my arms, I carefully navigate the big rocks until I come to the opening. Except for some erosion, the small cave looks almost the same as the last time we were here.
“It alllmost looksss the sammme,” Molly says, mirroring my thoughts.
I walk over to one of the flat rocks against the wall and gently set her down. Finding a relatively smooth place for the blanket, I spread it out. I scoop her back up, then gently put her down on the blanket, making sure there’s a spot for her to lean back against. Her balance has gotten worse since she’s lost mobility in her legs.
“Whaaat did you bringgg us?”
I start pulling things out of the bag. “All of your favorites.”
Her eyes sparkle like fireflies as she eyes the strawberries, mango, pineapple, and a variety of cheeses and meats.
“I didnnn’t realizzze how hungry I waaas until I sawww all of thisss.”
Picking up a chunk of mango, I hold it up to her lips. Her eyes light up as she opens her mouth. Her lips close around my fingers and her tongue swipes the fruit away. I pull my fingers away and lift them to my lips, licking away the residual.
“Mmm…,” she moans. “Niccce and juicccy.”
I smirk. “Juicy, huh?”
She nods, her eyes dancing in mirth.
Jerkily, she pinches a strawberry between her fingers. My heart seizes as I watch her struggling to lift her arm. I grab her elbow and help her guide the fruit to my lips.
We spend the next few minutes teasing each other with food. The sound of the waves and the cool ocean breeze coming in through the opening of the alcove keeps us company. Once the food is gone and our bellies are satisfied, I help Molly lie down so she’s facing me with her head lying on the bundled-up bag. We’re so close, our breath mixes together, and I smell her fresh unique scent. I tangle our fingers together and lay them right by our faces. The ground is hard, but we’re both comfortable because we’re here together.
“I lovvve you,” she whispers in a soft, willowy voice.
“Love you too.”
Her eyes move past me, flickering over the cave walls. “Outtt of alll of the plaaaces we’vvve been, this is myyy favoriiite.”
Lifting her hand, I rub my lips along the back of it. “Mine too.”
Her eyes meet mine again, and there’s a glint in them. “Tell meee a ssstory.”
I grin and situate my head close to hers. “How about you tell me a story?”
She grins crookedly at me. “I will next time.”
“Okay. Hmm….” I tap my chin, wondering which one of the many private thoughts I’ve had of Molly I should tell her. “There once was a boy and a girl who lived down the road from each other,” I start, making Molly laugh. “The boy had the biggest crush on the girl before he even knew what a crush was. One day, the boy was in the shower and was thinking about the girl when they went swimming earlier that day. He was probably around ten years old. He remembered seeing the girl in her bathing suit and thought of how pretty she was. Having a weird feeling in his stomach, he looked down and saw that his penis was hard.”
Molly’s sputtered laugh has me pausing. “Thaaat did nott happen,” she insists, her eyes bugging out.
I give her a deadpan look. “It absolutely did.” Using the hand that’s still interlocked with hers, I press my finger against her lips when she goes to speak again. “I’m not done with