Chapter 8
Bernie
A weekend in Branwen Beach during the summer solstice is just what I need after the crazy work week we had at our hospital job.
Who knew adding a wing to the medical center would cause so much drama with certain people?
I’m ready to be distracted by a witchy festival full of crystals and some good ocean swims.
“I am so glad your sister wanted to celebrate her birthday here,” my girlfriend says, startling me out of my wandering thoughts, wrapping her arms around me from behind.
We stand on the balcony of our hotel room, looking out at the ocean waves. It’s getting close to dinner and we need to walk over to Mare Pacificum for Calissa’s birthday celebration.
“Yeah, me too. Are Alona and Ford joining us tomorrow? For the festival?”
“She actually got a booth to sell her soaps, so yeah.”
“Oh, really? Maybe Calissa won’t be mad at me for not having a present for her tonight if I get some sort of gift basket for her tomorrow.”
Enid gasps incredulously.
“Bernie Hinkley, you don’t have something to give your sister tonight?”
Turning toward her, I realize my error in judgment.
“Uh, no. I kind of suck at this.”
She rolls her eyes at me and looks at her watch.
“If we rush, we can buy a bottle of wine in the hotel gift shop. Chop chop.”
* * *
We walk along the beach toward the restaurant. The sun is lowering in the sky, creating a patchwork of pinks and oranges. Enid stops to take some photos.
As I watch her, the small box in my pocket that I have been carrying around these last two weeks makes itself known by basically begging to come out. My breath catches in my throat when I realize this is the moment I have been waiting for. Right now. This is it.
Enid turns to me before I settle on how to propose.
“Do you mind if we walk to the water? I just want a few more photos.”
“Let’s do it, babe.”
At the water’s edge, she kicks off her sandals and walks ankle deep into the ocean. A couple of feet behind her, I kneel, and present the ring in its open box for when she turns back. But before she does, a wave brings the water in closer than I anticipated, soaking my knee.
“Ack!” I blurt out, jumping to my feet.
“Wha-?” Enid turns to me, her eyes targeting the box in my hand. “Bernie?”
Insistent on doing this property, I kneel again, right as the tide is once more rolling in on me. With a soaked pant leg, I lift the box up to present to my love.
“The first time I knew I loved you I was soaked to the bone from rain, so I guess it’s only fitting that I am getting soaked by the ocean as I ask you, Enid Vaida, to be my partner for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
“Ack, get up. You’re getting soaked,” she says, through tears and laughter.
As soon as I get to my feet, Enid flings her arms around me, shouting, “Yes, of course I will marry you!”
We stand there, kissing, as the high tide splashes our legs. We only pause our lip locking when something bumps my calf.
“Your sandal!”
My fiance runs into the waves to grab it while I save the other one before the water kidnaps it. I look up to see a half-soaked Enid, laughing, and carrying her shoe out of the ocean. She looks us both up and down, shaking her head and smiling.
“We look a sight.”
I pull her against me and kiss the tip of her nose.
“Worth it, though.”
“Yes, so very worth it.”