Wednesday
KekahJ's Choice: Picture 1
Title:
The sun was only just beginning the peek over the hilltop, but already the beach was full. There was the usual assortment: surfers hefting colorful boards over their shoulders as they sought to be the one to catch the perfect wave, runners in their skin tight spandex and cross-trainers pounding the damp sand in their quest for physical perfection, and the sun worshipers already splayed across huge towels as they oiled their skin and paid homage to their fiery god of the sky.
But none of these were what caught her eye as she gazed across the beach from her perch on the railing of the beach house’s wrap-around porch. It was the third morning she’d watched him, blond hair blown back as he ran along the beach with his dog. She smiled as he lobbed a stick into the water and the dog cantered into the foaming surf after it.
The first morning she’d been out on the porch by accident, simply retrieving the paper, when she’d noticed him running by. She was pretty sure he hadn’t even seen her, but somehow just watching him made her calmer. There was something about the lean muscles that rippled across his arms and chest as he ran. Something about the way his wavy blond hair moved in the breeze. Something about the almost musical laugh that seemed to come so easily. Watching him from a distance made her feel more relaxed than she’d felt in a long time.
The next morning she’d taken her coffee out to the porch, telling herself that she should watch at least one sunrise during her time at the beach. She’d been staying in her friend’s beach house for nearly a week and hadn’t seen the sun rise even once. So she’d taken a hot mug of coffee and planted herself on the porch. To her delight, he’d been there again and once more, something about him had intrigued her. She’d watched him from a distance for nearly forty minutes while he ran up and down the beach throwing a stick for the big brown lab that ran by his side. She’d even laughed when, at one point, he followed the dog into the surf and the pair of them swam and wrestled in the frothy water.
This morning, she had to face the fact that she had been drawn out onto the porch to try and see him again. Once more she’d felt oddly relieved when she saw him, as if she’d been unable to really breathe until that moment. There was a tiny voice inside her that was screaming that she was insane to feel that way. She’d never even spoken to him. He didn’t even know she existed; yet she couldn’t deny the effect he had on her, no matter how inexplicable it was. Watching him was like a calming balm to her anxious soul.
She could hear the dog’s excited barks from where she sat sipping her coffee, wrapping her hands around the mug, enjoying its warmth in the chill morning air. She sighed, reveling in the strange calm watching him brought her.
After a while, she leaned back against the clapboard siding, effortlessly balancing herself on the porch railing, and closed her eyes. The sun warmed her cheeks as it rose higher in the sky. Opening her eyes again, she scanned the beach. Where had he gone? Had he left and she’d missed it? There were now several other dogs loping along the sand, but none of them were the big floppy-eared chocolate lab that was his. Panic began to swell in her chest as she sat up, leaning forward on the railing, trying to get a better view of the beach.
She nearly lost her balance, almost pitched forward into the sand, when she felt the wet nose on the back of her leg. Startled, she turned and grinned when she came face to face with the big brown eyes and lolling tongue of the very chocolate lab she’d been searching for.
“JB!”
She turned to see him striding up the porch steps towards her. Her heart skipped a beat. He was even more gorgeous close-up.
“Sorry, JB, come on!” he said, patting his thigh in an attempt to get the dog’s attention.
But it was no use. The dog plopped down by her feet. She laughed and scratched his soft velvety ears. “Hey buddy, how’s it going?” she said, running her hand along the dog’s soft flank.
“He likes you,” the blond boy said, grinning at her.
She looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat as she took in his brilliant smile. She cleared her throat self consciously and said, “He seems like a great dog.”
He nodded. “He is.” He paused, then stuck his hand out. “I’m Jasper, by the way.”
She grinned and clasped his hand, secretly loving the feel of his hand in hers. Like everything else about him, it somehow calmed her, and she suddenly craved more. “I’m Alice. Nice to meet you.” There was an awkward pause and then she added, “Do you want some coffee?” she asked.
“Sure, if you don’t mind. That’d be great.” He shrugged and smiled sheepishly.
A few minutes later, they were seated around the small whitewash table, both clutching steaming cups of coffee, JB curled around Jasper’s feet. They chatted, and Alice was surprised at how easily she opened up to him, telling him things that she normally kept private and guarded.
As she realized this, she became embarrassed, worried that she was being too forward. “I’m sorry,” she said, staring into her coffee. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. I guess I just feel comfortable with you. Like I know you. Does that sound crazy?” She hazarded a glance at him, afraid of what she’d find in his expression. She was shocked to see him shaking his head, blond hair falling in his eyes.
“No, Alice. Don’t apologize. I know exactly what you mean. I find myself wanting to tell you everything about me too. I feel...” he faded off as he searched for the right word.
“Compelled.” The word was said in unison and they both grinned sheepishly at each other.
Alice didn’t know what the future held, but she was sure that she wanted Jasper to be a part of it.
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