Episode 62. The Shallows
"You look like a ghost, my dear heart," said Big Bertha.
"I feel just like one," said her daughter Delilah.
"Do you really need that white stuff smeared all over your face?"
"I would burn otherwise."
"With it this overcast?"
"Mum, most of the sun's ultraviolet rays can go right through the clouds. And they're the ones that make you burn. Especially if you're fair as me. I've seen my share of corpses had more of a tan."
"Do you ever give 'em a tan? With your makeup, I mean?"
"I do, Mum, if their picture shows they was like that when they was alive."
"Right. Well, it's a pleasure to sit here with you, even if you do look like Bozo the Clown."
"I know you mean well, Mum. But I don't need no cheerin' up. I'm fine."
"Well, that's good. Me, I'm glad to take a break from my thread."
"I like the shallow water, Mum. I get tired of the deep."
"Myself, I love the deep, Dee. But I know what you mean."
"You and Daddy love to go way out, clear out of sight of land, but I love it in close. I love the ocean, but I like it when it's personal. I can go down and wade. I can spot so many variations in the colours. Rocks underwater can be green that are pink otherwise. And there's no constant challenge. I can sit for a while and let Mother Nature massage me, and then I can go for a cheeseburger. I'm not tied to any mysteries."
"I know that, honey."
"That's all right? I don't embarrass you?"
"The shallows, hon, that's where the sea meets the shore. That's where everything happens. Mac and I, we've seen everything happen. We still love to see it, but we like to go out too. Out beyond. But it's really all as ordinary as us sitting here. You're no embarrassment and never will be. You are the grace of my life."
"I think I need to go in now, Mum. Is that all right? It's just ... even the shallows are too much right now. I want to be in a bathtub. With hot water. I want to play the radio and hear an advertisement. And then I want to wrap myself in towels and do my nails. And then I want to hear you holler at me. 'Dee, it's your turn to make dinner!' And I want ... then I just want to get out the measuring spoons."
"I understand, little darlin'. I do. Just let me heave this rock and then we'll go. I love to make a splash."
"So do I. We'll heave together."
"One, two, three, go!"
"Oh, we neither of us made it to the water."
"That's all right."
"I love you, Mum."

5 June 2018
Texas Jim
Prospect, Nova Scotia
www.granitecoast.ca