Life Goes On
“… And so, to answer your question: While I normally like the beach because its warm and sunny, today I like it for the greys and the clouds. And the white waves that lick the shorelines, they’re cute.”
“Really? The white crests and lines of the waves?” Clark was unimpressed.
Jen took it personally, “They’re pretty!”
Clark frowned, “But what part about the grey and clouds and waves do you like? Why do you like them?”
Jen paused, thinking. Clark offered her a hand as they neared a ridge of rocks. They were the only ones in sight.
“I don’t know. I guess, maybe I just appreciate the beach for different things at times?” she glanced at him, seeking approval. He raised an eyebrow. Jen rolled her eyes, “Okay then genius, what do you like about the beach today?”
Clark stared broodingly. It was cloudy and gloomy true, but otherwise a fine day. A light breeze and played with their hair. The cold air dispelled by their sweaters. Slate-blue waters were laid out to their left with dull clouds overhead and faint mountains in the distance. The waves washing up whatever they had to offer came one after another, never easing up.
They continued walking along the beach, carefully weaving through the stones underfoot. It had long switched from the soft sand to rough rocks except for right next to the waterline. The sand appeared greyish-brown and seemed to almost morph into the blue of the ocean where the waves left white lines.
Jen was right, the white lines formed by the lips of the waves were indeed very cute. But that wasn’t what Clark liked.
“I think what I find the most beautiful,” Clark said. “Is that it exists without the warmth and the sun. That it exists without all the people. It feels like a reminder of life, that it just goes on, whether or not you’re looking.
“Regardless of what the weather is, the beach is still the beach. Just because its not a balmy Sunday evening, or a sweltering July afternoon doesn’t the water won’t continue to lap the rocks. Doesn’t mean the rhythmic wish-wash disappears.
“So often it feels like life only happens when you’re there to see it. But somehow I find it comforting to know that it will keep going without me. The same way I’ll keep going on without it. The way we’ll all keep going despite the world around us. In a way I find I can connect more to that feeling than to the surfing, volleyball and regular beach activities.”
Jen smiled, “I really enjoy that. You know, I used to be scared of that exact thing. I used to be scared of going away, travelling or moving for a job, because I worried that if I ever came back, no one would remember me. That they’d have all grown and moved on and lived new lives without me.
“But when you put it this way, it feels more like they’re going to do that no matter what happens and I may as well choose which parts I want to be there for.”
“But, you know what I like the most?” Clark suppressed a smile. “The white crests and foam from the waves on the shore.”
“Oh now you like them.” Jen, bemused, tried to push him away as he grabbed her for a hug. They held each other tightly, smiled and stared out at the somber, bleak coast.
578 words
Dec 24, 2022
all-stories