Clarity

All rights reserved-Alex Leidig

Her ride just drove away. She looked into the great beyond and yearned for something. Unsure what, but something was amiss. So, when her cousin invited her to stay the summer, Amelia was ecstatic.

She wasn't expected until tomorrow, but she was antsy so when the opportunity arose to leave early, she jumped. Since her cousin was at the store, she had to wait outside. So, Amelia meandered to the front of the house, shuffling, kicking the occasional rock and took a seat swinging the guitar into her lap.

The house wasn't anything too spectacular, however it would have been a marvel in its glory days. She hasn't been inside but it had four chimneys and looked as if it was set up to have a servant living area separate from the main living area which Amelia speculated was built in the late 1800s.

Leaning back in the reclining beach chair and closing her eyes, she felt a feather light breeze on her face, it was like the weather knew the reason for her visit, which was to relax. Her life was in an upheaval so Amelia was hoping this change would give her a new perspective, or maybe she just needed to get away for a few weeks, to gain some clarity. Whatever was needed, this time with her cousin couldn't do any harm.

Opening her eyes, she gazed over the ocean and her fingers started plucking a tune, almost like they were on autopilot. The tune had a soothing effect, but music always dulled the pain. While her digits worked the strings on the instrument, Amelia took notice that there were no boats, jet skis, surfers—nothing. It was possible that nobody had any desire to venture out with dark clouds looming overhead.

The breeze had gained in strength whipping a few loose strands of hair across her face and the temperature had dropped a couple degrees but as long as she had her guitar, she was peachy.

“Hey there stranger,” her cousin stepped out the front door and plop in the other beach chair. “I just walked in the back. How long have you been here?”

“I just got here,” Amelia mumbled.

“You must be beat after your trip,” she stated. “Why don’t we grab a movie and get something to eat.”

"Chipper, that’s all i need," she thought, dejected, Amelia pushed that sentiment down, she knew there would be no recovery if she continued to dwell on the past.