It was a beautiful day and Alex and I had decided to take a quick trip to the shore. We got in the car and were parked and walking on the boardwalk in less than 30 minutes.
“I love how close we are to the beach.” I said as we strolled along the boards headed towards the inlet.
“We picked the perfect day to come.” Alex said as we reached the end of the boardwalk and found an empty bench to sit on.
“I love this time of year before the boardwalk is packed.” I leaned back on the bench and put my feet up on the metal rail. We watched the fishing boats fighting the tide change in the inlet as they left the marinas and headed out to the open ocean.
We weren’t there very long when I looked over at Alex. “Are you getting hungry?”
Alex nodded his head. “I could eat.”
We walked towards the restaurants along the boardwalk and passed a sign next to the aquarium.
“Oh, this looks good!” I said as I pointed to the sign that said ‘Shark feeding: 1 PM’ I looked at my watch and then over to Alex. “That gives us about an hour to eat. Do you want to catch the feeding time?”
Alex shrugged his shoulders. “Sure. If you want to.”
I smiled and clapped my hands together. “I really do.”
We went to one of our favorite outdoor restaurants and ordered slices of pizza. As we were sitting there enjoying our pizza, I couldn’t help but laugh as we watch the seagulls hop along the sand looking for food and pestering anyone who had anything remotely close to something edible. The sounds of the waves crashing against the shoreline somehow always calm me.
Alex looked at his watch. “We only have ten minutes before the sharks get fed.” he reminded me.
“Seriously?” I scooped up the empty plates and napkins. “That went by quick!”
We quickly walked to the aquarium and bought our tickets.
We went over to the shark tank where a dozen or more people were already waiting.
“I’ve never seen a shark feeding before.” I whispered to Alex. “I’m excited!”
Just then an employee turned on her microphone welcoming us to the aquarium. She cleared her throat and asked. “Does anyone see a hula-hoop floating at the top?”
Everyone looked up as I turned to Alex with a questioning look on my face. “What does a hula-hoop have to do with this?”
Alex shrugged his shoulders.
Finally another patron called out. “I see one!”
“Okay, that means the feeding has begun.”
I looked over at Alex again, still confused.
“That’s how our nurse sharks know where to go to get fed.” She explained.
“I’m sure that’s how it works in the ocean.” I whispered to Alex.
Alex started to laugh.
We watched as the sharks slowly circled the tank every once in a while a chunk of fish attached to a pole was lowered into the water to see if someone would take it.
“It’s like they’re feeding them off a fork!” I whispered again.
“One of our employees up top are taking notes on who’s eating how much.” The employee with the microphone explained.
“Well, this is about as exciting as being at a Weight Watchers meeting!” I said. Alex could hear the disappointment in my voice.
Now a nurse shark was headed to the hula-hoop to take a nibble off that pole.
“Well, what were you expecting?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Maybe a chum bucket dumped from the top?”
Alex started to laugh. “The tank is the size of a swimming pool.”
“Still, it would have been more interesting this.” I sighed as I got up to look at the other displays.
Slice of Life 