Ellen breathed in deeply the mingling
perfumes of salty air and sea lavender. She wriggled her toes deeper into the
sand, and watched a sailboat lean precariously in the wind. This was her home—where she belonged! It
was not much; just a twelve acre island off of Cape Cod, but it was more than
enough for the young girl. Ellen could simply forget about everything on this
island paradise—all things harrying and unpleasant were washed away with the
tide leaving Ellen to run around barefoot and savor the small things in life.
“Hey!”
It was her little brother Eddie. “Wanna go fishing? Mom got back from the
mainland, so we can use the rowboat now!” Ellen shrugged.
“Sure!”
she agreed. Fishing wasn’t her favorite thing to do, especially since she
usually got stuck helping Eddie hook the sea worms. They were such nasty little
creatures that wouldn’t stop writhing around. Getting up from her seat on the
sandy beach, Ellen followed her brother down the board walk to the main dock.
Gathering up their rods and tackle boxes, they jumped into the bobbing row boat
and set off.
“Let’s
go over there!” shouted Eddie waving vaguely towards the opposite side of the
island. “Then we can watch the canal boats while we’re fishing!” Ellen bent
over the oars. Back and forth she went, sending the little boat farther and
farther along in the rippling water. Eddie squealed with glee.
“Go
go go! Go Ellen Go!” He chanted. “Faster! Faster!” Ellen laughed and obliged
her reckless brother by hauling on the oars with more force. Whew! It sure was
a work out! Her biceps were burning by the time they reached the designated
fishing spot.
All
afternoon they fished; Eddie never tiring of casting his line, and Ellen with
her legs propped up hoping to get a tan. She stared upward at the endless
expanse of sky interrupted only by the occasional tern wheeling daringly about.
Water lapping against their boat and ship horns from the canal serenaded the
two fishermen. Once again, Ellen marveled at the pure simplicity of island
life. She wouldn’t mind if it lasted forever!
All too
soon, the daylight hours were running out. Beginnings of a stunning sunset were
creeping up behind the fringes of trees and weathered cottages. Pinks and
yellows and blues all mixed together in water and sky to create one of God’s
greatest masterpieces.
“Awwwwe
Ellen!” breathed Eddie—deeply moved. “Look at that!”
“Mmmmmmmm.
It’s wonderful—simply divine!” The two figures sat, slowly darkening into
silhouettes against the deep color. City lights from the mainland glittered
brightly in the harbor, and the ever constant murmuring of wind and water was a
crooning lullaby from the sea. Ellen dipped her oar into the water and stirred
it slowly to watch the jellyfish light up like tiny Christmas lights. She
breathed
in deeply the mingling perfumes of salty air and sea lavender. This was her home—where she belonged!
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