Overalls

His reputation was that of a troubleshooter. When he showed up at a site it was a sign that someone had pathetically screwed up. He solved problems because margins of error had been eclipsed. It was lonely work that he bore well. He had figured out his balance long ago and when he shed the overalls he became unrecognizable.

Blue toenails

At first she didn’t recognize herself and mistook the image to be that of her mother. The similarity surprised her. Indeed, it had finally happened, a slow turning, like a mermaid walking onto dry land…she had become her mother. She saw the strength and sure footedness so she found her childish ways easy to kiss goodbye.

Jamaica Braids

The stolen piece of shade was the best perch for viewing the town. Blending in naturally she watched the earnest, the motivated, the leering and the unsuspecting pickpocket victims. She tried to stay neutral and mind her own business like grandma always said. But there was no harm in burning down the fools with her stink eye glares.

The slow walk

Her plan was to walk there directly. Not be distracted by the wafting smells of hot lunch from the streetside stalls or the lady with her new shipment of dresses from Florida for sale. The soles of her feet slid closer to the gungy pavement with every step as the sweat beaded in places that wouldn’t cool down fast. She stopped for a drink. While gulping back the sparkling sweetness she glanced down the road and saw him coming fast

Rooftop

Truth be told, she was losing patience. He promised her a castle and instead she was living in the cold concrete foundations of a dream. He spent most of his spare time planning the next steps, the upper level, but it was really just turning out to be a good place to have a rum and contemplate tomorrow’s weather. She sighed and decided to join him.

Puleeeeeze!

Pleeeeeeeeez! His eyes were sugar glazed as he leaned precariously out of the shopping cart. She thought about the possibility of a screaming child and the embarrassment made her sweat. She maneuvered the rickety three-wheeled cart around the corner into the ice cream aisle and mentally made plans to come alone next time.

Boats

He was glad they wouldn’t go out today. The sea was choppy and the old boats were damp with overnight rain. The sodden wood smell was something that would unmistakably remind him of his father forever. He sat in the land bound hull and cried for the first time, overcome with memories. Then his toddler son clambered in beside him with his tangled reel of fishing line and he smiled through his tears.

Fried Fish

He hauled it to the last stop of the day. His arms ached maneuvering the hard turns and the diesel stench had built swarming his head and making his eyes water. He tricked his senses by dreaming of the fried fish dinner and the soft-armed hugs waiting for him at home.

Two Scoops

Her patience was everlasting. She never questioned what she did for the family business, what was expected of her and how she delivered what was required. But now her mind conjured its own wishes and dreams. Motivation would push her to success she could never have imagined. For the moment though she perfectly balanced two scoops on a sugar cone.

The Floaties

She tried to feel her god given strength of responsibility. At least she didn’t have to watch them swim anymore. The noise alone had left her buzzing and weak. She wondered if making lunch was a good idea now before they got cranky. But first she scooped up the floaties and with expert passive aggression punctured one with her fingernail.

The resort had forbidden it

She snuck out driven by curiosity. The resort had forbidden it but to come this far and not adventure through the truth of this country seemed remiss and stung her sense of responsibility. Though her eyes saw one thing, others around her saw something else, a stranger oblivious to their ways. She blithely drifted and rounded the corner narrowly escaping danger.

The Fat Man

He perched precariously and settled into the uneasy balance. It was the perfect view, pleasing to the eye on many levels. He skipped his regular lunchtime risking the noonday sun to take it all in. On Monday he’d be back at his office desk.

Night Calls

He was ready for that Saturday night.

Cherry Ice Cream

He had never seen her focus so intense. What began as a shrieking discovery had become serious. She stared at the creature, willing it to make a move. Her breath measured as she tried not to disturb it. But the time moved too slowly and she impatiently made a grab for it. He caught her hand and distracted her with the promise of cherry ice cream.

Geometry

She pretended it was no big deal but her heart sank. Her wonder with nature took a turn as she made the connection to man and animal. She picked up the offending material, that potential fish killer, so benign on land, so lethal in the ocean, and gripped it so tightly it cut her hand. Thus began her lifelong passion as keeper of the seas.