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The Cove for web DSC_8921

The Cove for web DSC_8921

A Day in the Painting

Betty walked up behind Noah as quietly as she could, wanting to surprise him. He was sitting in the tall grass, looking out over the cove. He was still as a statue, not even bothering to swat at the mosquito that had landed on his ear.

“So, are you looking at a painting? Or are you part of the painting?”

“I’m not sure.”

Since he hadn’t budged, and she couldn’t see his lips move, it seemed to Betty as if the voice might have come from anywhere. She sat down beside him and pinched the mosquito so it made a little blood mark on her fingers.

“Your hair’s all tangled,” she said, wiping her fingers on the grass.

“It’s not a school day,” he said.

“So where’s Monday?”

“What?”

“My dog, spaceman.”

“Oh,” he said. And then he made a gesture that included everything before them - the fishing stages, the harbour, the docks, the lone boat, the dome-shaped rock where in times past the fishermen mended their nets - as if the dog might be anywhere.

“You know,” he said, “It’s like that sometimes. Like a painting. Where nothing’s happening and nothing’s going to happen. And yes, sometimes I feel like I’m a part of that.”

“If you’re bored,” Betty said, “then get up and let’s go for a walk. Or a ride in your boat.”

“I’m not bored. I just feel so … settled. Like that reflection in the water there where the wind isn’t stirring things up. Clear like that. I came out here to think about a story for my book. The traveler’s guide. You know, for lost souls. But this peacefulness. Sometimes it’s all I really need. And who am I to give advice to anybody, anyway. I’m just a kid.”

She took his hand. He squeezed hers. And then she knew that he was very much alive.

“Thank goodness,” she said. “So am I.”

18 June 2024
Texas Jim
Prospect, Nova Scotia
www.granitecoast.ca
Category:Scenic
Subcategory:Coastlines
Subcategory Detail:
Keywords:Canada, Nova, Prospect, Scotia, boat, coast, docks, granite, harbour, rock, stages