3/13/10

The brunette passed over the rocky beach, her long hair blowing behind her. As the sweet smell of salt and sand pressed along her face, she squinted into the distance. It seemed the day had lasted less than half of what it should. As the sun nestled itself comfortably in the middle of the blue sky, it sent out a white light. The grey sand seemed to be more yellow and the ocean, more green. She walked towards the water, the sand growing thicker and wetter as she did.

Now a slurching sound followed her, all the way to the edge of the ocean. As the tide pulled out towards the sea, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. It was impossible not to love it here. Hawai'i. The beach, the small houses, the towns. Restaurants and bars. It was like any normal place. Only .. better.

Opening her eyes, she stepped forward, setting one bare foot in the cold water. Letting out a laughing shriek, she ran forward. Water splashed upwards, landing in small droplets on her rolled up jean legs and her red and white checkered shirt. Getting out to ankle-height she turned and turned with her arms around, facing her head towards the sky and sun. It was wonderful here ... Her home.

Sighing, she dropped her hands to her sides and stopped turning. She then stared out across the rolling waves at the horizon. A thin line separating the impossible bounds of Earth and Sky. It was hard to tell if it was a boat or just waves, but a large black dot rose up from the sea. Well, actually, it was quite small. Like the tip of a needle. But from that distance, it could have been huge. Like a tsunami wave. Staring, she titled her head to the side, stepping forward into the water. Rolling her sleeves up to her elbows and pulling her jean legs up to her knees, she waded out into the surf. As the waves pushed her back towards land and then pulled her into deeper, colder waters, she watched the dot grow. Slowly at first. But then faster, as it came closer and closer.

Now she was in water up past her knees. Sloshing around, she used her arms as propellers to push herself forward, her fingers slicing through the water. Now up to her thighs, she stared out. She raised her hands up behind her head and pulled her long hair into a high pony, using the black elastic around her right wrist. The small dot had become the size of a pea. It was still black and almost indistinguishable amongst the ocean.

As water lapped at her thighs and wrists, she stood in silence. It seemed a good idea to go back to shore, but ... One wave passed over, hitting her in the stomach and pushing her back. Tripping over a rock with her heel, she fell backwards and into the water. As she was engulfed, she puffed out her cheeks and squinted up. The round sun was now a rippling shape, a white splotch on the sky. Surfacing, she gasped and coughed, staring wide-eyed at the next wave as it came over. This one pushed her even farther back, almost to the point where she could stand and walk back without difficulty, only to be pulled forward. Now it didn't seem like such a bad idea to get out. Turning around, she struggled to walk towards the shore. But the water prevented that.

Slowly she was drug out towards the area that water rose to her middle ribs. Feeling cold and scared, she turned on her back and floated. Sure, this was a bad idea. But what was she supposed to do? Using her arms like paddles, she rowed herself backwards and over the small waves, which were much like speed bumps to her, and towards the shore. Thirty seconds later her head hit the sandy ground and water rose over her cheeks into her mouth and nose. Sitting up, she spat and coughed, sneezing and shaking her head. Staring out towards the ocean, the dot had grown.

She could now see that it was a boat. Pulling herself to her feet she stared out, gasping like a fish. With another cough, she swallowed the salt on her tongue and stared out, her stomach aching. As the small triangle came closer, it went from black to blue and then brown and white. Two dots appeared on the boat, unaware of her or her dripping clothes. Sopping wet, she turned and sloshed up the beach, towards the hill that rose up to an outcropping of rock. Walking up the three-foot sloping hill, she turned and stared out. The pale faces were unfamiliar from this distance. However, it didn't matter. She needed to get back home and change.

Turning and walking down the warm and smooth sunbaked rock, she crossed over the grassy stretch towards the road. It'd take at least fifteen minutes to get home ... Sighing, she picked up her red bicycle and climbed atop, placing her right foot on the high pedal. Glancing back towards the ocean at the boat which was now only about 100 meters away, she pushed her foot down and strode forward. Placing her left foot on the pedal, she began to make her way home, muttering to herself. It was only the start of the year and she had nearly drowned already.

January 10th, 1939, O'ahu Hawai'i.