STILL LOCAL SUMMER

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday with the temperatures in the high 70’s. I was out on our back porch in my rocking chair, reading a book.

My son Alex popped his head out the door. “Dad and I wanted to go to the boardwalk for an early dinner. Does that sound good to you?”

I snapped my book closed and got up. “Not having to cook dinner and a walk on the boardwalk? Yeah! I’m in!”

Driving down the road, and not a cloud in the sky, I couldn’t help but smile. “I love when we’re able to squeeze just one more boardwalk day in before Fall really sets in!”

It took us a few minutes to find a spot to park.

“I guess everyone decided today was a good beach day!” I parked the car and got out.

Grabbing a sweatshirt before locking the car I was ready to walk the few blocks to get to the beach

“Are you really bringing a sweatshirt?” My husband Steven asked. “It’s in the 70’s.”

I draped it over my shoulders. “You never know until you get to the water. It might be a bit chilly.”

Alex looked over at me. “Can you unlock the car? Maybe I should bring mine, too.”

Once he had his I looked over at Steven. “Do you want to bring yours?”

“Nope.” He shook his head. “It’s beautiful out.”

We walked the few block and were finally walking the boards. Alex and I both slipped on our sweatshirts. I looked over at Steven. “Are you sorry you didn’t bring yours now?”

Steven looked determined. “Not at all. It’s beautiful out.”

We walked to our favorite restaurant and ordered some slices. “I’m going to get us a table outside while you wait for the pizza.”

I found a beautiful spot in the shade where we had clear sight to the ocean. I watched the seagulls overhead hoping to score some scraps of food. “Pickings are getting slim now that everyone’s off the beach, right guys?” I said to them.

Alex and Steven came out with the trays of food.

Steven and Alex set their trays down.

“It’s so nice out!” I cried. “I just love this time of year when it’s only the locals here.”

Steven and Alex set the trays down. I was just about to reach for my plate when Steven looked over at another table. “Can we sit in the sun instead of here?”

I looked up at Steven who was still standing. “You never want to sit in the sun.”

“Well, I want to start today.”

I picked up my plate and walked over to the new spot Steven had picked out. “You’re never going to admit that you’re sorry you didn’t bring your sweatshirt, are you?” I laughed as I sat down.

“Nope.” Steven said as he sat down himself. “It’s a beautiful day without the sweatshirt.”

“As long as we stay in the sun, right?” I passed him his water bottle.

“Exactly.” He took off the cap and took a sip of his water.

“Well, even in the sun I’m glad I’m wearing this.” I touched the sleeve on my sweatshirt and looked over at Alex. “What about you?”

Alex was looking up at all the seagulls circling the patio. “What do you think the odds are if I left my slice to go wash my hands that one of them would swoop down and grab it?”

“I’ll guard your plate.” I pulled his plate closer to me as Alex got up to walk back into the restaurant. “By the way. Nice subject change.” I called after him laughing.

He never turned around but lifted his arm up in a wave.

I looked over at Steven. “You know he’s really gifted with that.”

Steven started to laugh. “Well, we certainly have given him a lot of chances to practice.”