Good morning FFFs,
I won't keep you long before letting you read the next part of this story. My nieces and nephews are coming over for breakfast and to spend the day. The boys will probably mow the yard, and then I'll probably take the oldest 5 on a bike ride. Not sure if I'll let Missy come along or not. She can't go as far as her older siblings. But maybe Missy, Buster, and Kitty Kinz can ride bikes in the parking lot. Of course Kitty Kinz is only 14 months, so she won't actually be riding. Not sure what else we'll do today. Maybe play games, or swing.
I unofficially joined the 100 for 100 challenge. It's a challenge to write 100 words a day for 100 days. The reason I didn't join officially is because you are supposed to only work on one story until it is done and then you can move to another one. Well, I have so many stories and I never know which one is going to be the one I can work on, so I am still trying for the 100 days of writing 100 words. It is nice that they let you take one day a week off. So I can skip writing on Sundays unless I miss a day during the week. They also allow you to have one "grace week" so if something comes up and you can't write that week, it's okay. So far I'm doing fine.
Yesterday I ordered the proof copies of a new pocket book and my very first hardcover book!!!! I can't wait to see them!
Okay, here's the story. Enjoy!
Rhode Island Story
Part 2
Soon my feet were covered, then the waves lapped about my ankles and then splashed the hem of my dress. It was a red dress with white polka dots and reached just below my knees. As much as I wanted to, I dared not go farther. For some time I just stood, mesmerized by the rhythmic waves, the blinding shimmer of the sun on the water, and the refreshing wind that stirred my damp bangs.
I began to notice that I felt a little light-headed and moved back toward shore and wandered over to some large rocks which offered the only shade on the beach. There I sat down and closed my eyes hoping the strange feeling of constant motion would pass. Finally I lay down, curled up in the shade with my head pillowed on my arm, and gradually the sensation passed.
But I didn’t want to move. It was so calm. So peaceful. I fell asleep.
*
Water splashing in my face roused me some time later, and I sat up in bewilderment. My feet were wet, so was my dress. I sputtered as another wave broke over me before receding. Quickly, I scrambled to my feet, wondering how long I had been asleep. It must have been some time, for the sun, which had been past noon when I reached the water, was now far down in the west behind the tall trees.
Feeling more refreshed but quite hungry, I left my rocks and splashed my way back to the beach which was only a small strip now. I wondered where my sisters and cousins were. How was I to get back to my uncle’s house? Had anyone missed me yet?
“It’s a bit late to be taking a swim, don’t you think?” A friendly voice said.
I turned quickly and saw a nice looking young man with a grandmotherly woman holding his arm. They were looking at me, and I suddenly realized I looked like a drowned rat. “Oh, I wasn’t swimming. I fell asleep in the shade behind those rocks over there until the water woke me up,” I answered quickly.
“I’m glad you weren’t swimming alone,” the man replied. “It’s not safe.”
“What’s your name, child?” asked the grandma. “I don’t recognize you.”
“I’m Bonnie Dale,” I replied, trying to push my wet hair back from my face. I had long ago given up trying to explain about my name, for it only confused people. “I’m visiting my aunt and uncle for the summer, only now I don’t know how to get back to their house. My cousins and sisters were all going to Jack Frost’s, but I wanted to see the water.” I didn’t add that I still had no idea who Jack Frost was.
“Well,” the young man said, “suppose we walk you to the ice cream parlor and see if we find them. Do you have any shoes?”
“Shoes? Oh!” Turning, I looked around. Where had I hidden my shoes? “I put them in the grass to keep them safe,” I murmured.
“Go help her look, Josiah,” the woman said with a slight chuckle. “I’ll wait here.”
Josiah stepped beside me. “Do you remember where you took them off?”
I shook my head. “I sat on a rock, but there are rocks everywhere.”
“We’ll find them unless someone came and carried them away, which isn’t likely. Come on.”
With his help my shoes and socks were soon found, and I used his handkerchief to dry my feet and then put my shoes and socks back on. All this time I wondered. Were the girls still at Jack Frost’s? And who was Jack Frost?
“Now,” Josiah said, “let’s go to the ice cream parlor.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I have to find Jack Frost because that’s where the girls went.”
“Jack Frost’s is the ice cream parlor.”
“Oh.” I glanced up, expecting to see him laughing at me, but instead he just smiled.
“If you aren’t from around here, you wouldn’t know Jack Frost sells ice cream.” He gave me a wink and then offered his arm to the grandma.
Without another word I walked with them, and when the grandma held out her hand to me, I took it. I was feeling very lonely and a bit frightened and homesick. It was getting later and later, and I longed for the sight of a familiar face.
The village was quiet. Josiah said folks had gone home for supper. At the ice cream parlor only empty chairs greeted us, except for the white-haired man behind the counter.
“Evening, Josiah.”
“Evening, Jack. Did a group of girls come in here this afternoon?”
“Sure did. Tony’s girls came with with some others I didn’t know. Talked so much I’m still wondering how they managed to eat their ice cream.”
“Did they say anything about missing someone, or where they were heading next?”
I almost held my breath.
The man wrinkled his forehead and thought a moment. “Nope, can’t say that they did. Least ways I didn’t hear it.”
Josiah looked down at me. “Are you Tony’s niece?”
I nodded.
“Can I borrow your phone, Jack?”
“Sure can.”
Josiah left us and disappeared behind the counter and over to a phone on the wall. I couldn’t hear what he said, but in a few minutes he was back.
“Thanks, Jack. Well, Bonnie, your uncle will be here in a couple of minutes. It sounds like they just discovered you weren’t at the house. Didn’t you tell anyone you were going to the beach?”
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