is this a one-shot or is there going to be more?
you have some comma errors near the end of the story - commas replaced by periods.
the story is good - because you're dealing with a heavy subject that takes a long time to write about, you start to tell us things instead of showing us. If you went back in a while, read this story again so it was fresh, and revised parts to show us, through character's actions, what the deal is with these people, it would make a stronger, more heart-wrenching story. But, overall, good job.

I like how this is going so far. But you have a few spots that could be cut. Sometimes giving a little less information is more effective than offering too much. Like where you say "He'd come for her mother and he'd stayed for the beer. And the waves. Not the children." I think the line would be better if it was just "He'd come for her mother and he'd stayed for the beer." We know without being told that he doesn't care anything about his kids. Y'know? But still, good story. I like!