An Afternoon Beach Walk

An Afternoon Beach Walk

Walking on the beach in swimsuit and flip-flops, it was a warm but overcast afternoon.  The sea was calm but an odd greenish hue arose as I looked out.  Down the beach, I saw my friend, Paul, jogging my way.

As we approached each other, I called “Hi, Paul.  What’s new?”

He stopped jogging and stood in front of me.  “Weird weather I think.    I’m trying to finish my run before anything happens.  Haven’t really heard the forecast but it feels strange to me.  How about you?”

“I was thinking the color far out was changing but I don’t know what that means.  Do you?”

“Not sure but I’ve lived around here long enough to trust my gut and it says do your run and then get inside. That’s advice for you too.  Gotta get going.  Good luck and be careful.”  He began jogging away.

I looked out again as I continued to walk.  On the horizon I could see a ship coming into view.  I wonder if that ship will have any trouble if there is bad weather ahead.  Maybe I should take Paul’s advice and head back just in case.  The water out there is getting more greenish and bigger and stronger waves are beginning to roll in.  Inadvertently I shivered.  It’s getting cooler and the wind is coming up.  I’ll head quickly to the fish stand and grab a bite to eat and then head back.

I found myself walking faster, nearly jogging.  On arriving at the Shrimp Shack, I was out of breath.  The young man tending the place inquired, “What can I get for you?”

“I’ll have a shrimp salad to go,” I replied.  As he moved about inside I said,  “I just saw a friend who thinks bad weather is coming.  What have you heard?”

“Nothing about the weather.  Just know that business today stinks  Don’t know if it’s the cloudy day or something else that’s keeping customers off the beach.  Slow days are really tough.  They drag on forever.  Only an hour before I can close up.  What kind of salad dressing do you want for this salad?”

“I’ll take ranch, please.  Fix it for me to carry home.  Just in case the weather turns I won’t take a chance on eating it here.”  I took out the money I had stuffed into the inside pocket on the shorts, my swimsuit bottom.  I looked out at the sea once more.. Yep, it’s looking worse by the minute.  I can see that boat rising and falling on the waves.  They have become a lot bigger in a short time.  A storm is blowing in.  I’m cold; I’ve got goose bumps forming on my arms. 

“Your salad’s ready, miss,” the young man said.  He handed me the Styrofoam container.  “That’s $8.99.  I put some crackers in there with the small container of ranch dressing.”  Looking seaward for perhaps the first time, he said, “Wow, I’d say your friend was right about the weather.  Look at that water churn.  The wind is rising too.  Best be heading home.”

“Thank you,” I said, “I will.”  I handed him a $10 bill.  He prepared to hand me my change.  “Keep the rest.  It won’t make up for a slow day but…”  I smiled at him.

“Thanks for the tip.”  He looked out at the sea again.  “This is looking serious.  Don’t waste any time going home.  Get indoors before this thing hits.  I’m going to close up early to protect things.”  He turned and lowered the wooden door that opened onto the counter thus closing the place for business.  He raised the door again slightly to say, “Be careful,” then closed it.  A lock snapped.

I retraced my steps across the beach toward our cottage.  I began running more as an attempt to keep warm than to avoid the storm.  Clearly there was a storm coming.  Panting as I raced along, I looked out at the ship.  It was much closer.  I could see it pitching and rolling on serious waves.  Now the water was a strange green color and the sky was ominous.  Any minute now the rain will start. I can’t keep running like this.  I’m going to have to slow down before I collapse.  I slowed to a fast walk as I kept watching the water.

The rain began.  In minutes I was drenched.  Unusual swirls and humps of water appeared on the surface of the sea.  Then it happened.  It was almost as though a tornado hit the water.  I large swirl of water rose up into the air as I watched.  Good thing that’s a long way out.  I wouldn’t want to be in the middle of that water-tornado.  I began to run again; the cottage was close.  Just as I dashed onto the porch, my mother appeared at the door.

“Gladys, I’m so relieved you are home.  This storm is bad.  Come in and close the door.”

“I just saw the weirdest thing.”  Carefully I pulled the door shut behind me. “This big tornado of water shot up high into the air. Is there such a thing as a water-tornado?”

“Not that I know of, Dear. But there are water spouts which look like what you are describing.  It is a funnel-shaped  cloud over a body of water that, full of mist and spray, looks like a solid column of water that rises high.  It resembles a tornado.”

“I never heard of them.”  I shivered.  ”A water spout.  That must have been what I saw.”

“You’re freezing, Child.  Go get some clothes on.  I’m glad you are home.  What’s in the box?”

“It’s a shrimp salad.  I thought we could share it with some soup?  OK?”

“Sure.  I’ll fix the soup while you dry off and get warm.  Enough walking on the beach for this afternoon?”

“That answer is YES,” I replied as I headed to the bathroom.


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