Chapter 7
The anticipation for their second date hung in the air as Clara made her way to the beach where James had suggested they meet. She spotted him in the exact spot they said they would enjoy their picnic. He had spread out a blanket on the sand. His back was to her as she walked across the sand watching him. His shoes were off, and he looked to be lost in thought as he stared out at the ocean. It was hard not to space out while observing the wonder that was the ocean.
After her husband walked out on her, Clara spent many hours in the very spot James was in now. The ocean was a constant. It grounded her and gave her the strength to pick up the pieces of her life and move forward.
“Hi,” she said.
He turned and jumped to his feet. “You snuck up on me.” He took her hands and kissed her cheek.
“Sorry. You looked like you were lost in thought.”
“I was. It’s beautiful here.”
“It’s my favorite spot,” she smiled.
He led her to the blanket with a picnic basket in the corner. “Have a seat.”
She slipped off her sandals and left them at the edge of the blanket before she sat down. “This is a very nice setup.”
He opened the basket and pulled out two plastic flutes, handing one to her. “Apparently, picnics are a very popular hobby around here.”
“Yes, they are.”
He opened a bottle of sparkling water and filled her flute before pouring some for himself. “I brought cold chicken as you requested. I also grabbed a veggie tray and some sliced fruit.”
“It looks great!”
They filled the plastic plates pulled from the picnic basket. Clara sat cross-legged on one side of the blanket with James on the other. The sound of waves rolling in and birds squawking overhead filled the silence between them. It was a comfortable silence. She tried to be dainty as she took a bite of the chicken leg. There really was no lady-like way to eat fried chicken.
“Do you go to the beach often?” she asked him casually.
“Not often. I’m more of a mountain man than a beach guy. I love the beach, it’s just not close to where I live.”
“I’ve always found the beach to be very cathartic,” Clara commented. “This very spot has gotten me through some of the hardest days in my life.”
“It does feel very healing.”
Clara hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath. “The day my daughter left for college, my husband of nearly twenty years announced he was leaving. He had a girlfriend, and they were going to be together. He told me he only stayed the last couple of years because he didn’t want our daughter to come from a broken family. The day she left, he left. While he was at our home packing, I came here.”
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Maybe we should move our picnic. I don’t want to stir up any negative memories.”
“No,” she shook her head. “This spot is where I found strength. It doesn’t hold any negative memories. In a way, it’s kind of where I was reborn. Like a butterfly coming out of her cocoon. I love it here.”
“Then we’ll stay right here,” he declared. “I am sorry you had to go through that. It must have been hard.”
“It was. I read something once about how you have to be broken to be rebuilt stronger. That’s how I feel. Yes, it sucked. I didn’t enjoy the aftermath, but time and distance from that day have given me clarity. I have found joy in new things, like getting to meet new people.”
“I appreciate your honesty, Clara. Divorce can be challenging, I”m sure.”
“Yeah, it has its share of struggles, but it”s also allowed me to rediscover myself,” Clara replied. “What about you, James? Are you divorced?”
“Never been married,” he replied.
“Consummate bachelor?” she joked.
James sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. “I was in love once, in my early twenties. But she died in an accident, and I never could bring myself to get involved again. It”s been a long journey of healing. I guess I’ve held back, not wanting to go through something like that again.”
Clara”s heart ached for him, and she reached out, gently squeezing his hand. “I”m sorry to hear that, James. Losing someone you love must be incredibly difficult.”
He offered her a grateful smile. “Thank you, Clara. It was a long time ago, but it”s shaped my perspective on relationships.”
In the back of her mind, Clara wondered if he would ever be able to love again. Would she ever be able to love again? They were both carrying some baggage. It would be easy to go down a rabbit hole and ruin the perfect evening with second-guessing and thoughts about getting hurt. She wanted to be in the moment. Whatever was going to happen would. There was no point in dwelling on it and missing the opportunity to enjoy this time with a great guy.
“Thank you for this spread,” Clara commented. “I love a good picnic.”
“Me too. So much easier than a fancy restaurant where you have to worry about what fork to use and keeping your elbows off the table.”
Clara laughed and sipped her drink. “Life is too short to worry about such trivial things. People are always talking about the downside of getting older. I have found I appreciate my ability to keep things in perspective… Age gives you wisdom. The little things like going to the best restaurants and using the right forks do not matter so much anymore.”
“Agreed,” James nodded. “There is a certain freedom to letting go of those societal norms and demands. Being here, on this beach, with you... it”s refreshingly simple.”
Clara raised her glass in a toast. “To simplicity and good company.”
James clinked his glass against hers. “Cheers to that.”
They continued their meal, keeping the conversation light. The sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of pinks and purples.
“Would you like to go for a walk?” James asked.
“I would love to.”
They left the blanket and basket and walked along the shore with his hand holding hers. “There”s a festival happening in a couple of weeks,” Clara said, feeling emboldened. “It”s a big deal around here. A spring fling of sorts. Would you be interested in going with me?” she asked.
James grinned. “Absolutely, Clara. I”d love to go with you.”
That was probably the bravest thing she had ever done. “It”s nothing fancy,” she went on. “I told you, Watch Hill is all about festivals and picnics and any other excuse we can think of to get together. Some of the local ladies sell their wares and everyone gets to show off their cooking talents at the various potlucks.”
“It sounds like you guys have a legit community here.”
“Some have referred to our town as Mayberry,” she laughed.
James chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “Well, Mayberry is sounding pretty good to me right about now.”
They strolled along the beach, watching as the sun dipped lower. It was a breathtaking scene. For a moment, they both paused, taking in the beauty that was on display before them. The waves rhythmically lapping against the shore provided a calming soundtrack to their evening.
“Would you consider showing me around Mayberry?” James asked.
Clara turned to look at him, her eyes reflecting the last light of day. She smiled warmly. “I would love to show you around. I know it”s small, but there is so much history here, as you know. I can show you some of the things you”ve been reading about in all your research.”
“I would really like that.”
James walked Clara back to her car, his expression serious. “Clara, I”ve really enjoyed these moments with you. I want to see you again, but I have to leave tomorrow.”
Clara”s heart fell. She knew it was coming, but she thought after tonight, they would have more time. “Oh.” It was the only thing she could say.
“My grandfather is in a nursing home, and I got a call that I need to meet with the doctors.”
Clara felt a pang of disappointment, but she nodded understandingly. “I hope everything is okay with your grandfather.”
“Thank you, Clara. I”ll be back in a couple of days. I really want to see you again. I want to go to that spring festival with you. I”ll be back.”
She smiled, grateful for the reassurance. “Just let me know when you”re back in town.”
He leaned in, giving her a sweet kiss on the cheek. “Take care, Clara. I”ll be in touch soon.”
As Clara watched him walk away, a mix of emotions washed over her. The prospect of seeing James again brought a sense of excitement, but the temporary goodbye left a lingering ache. She hoped it wasn”t just a line, that he genuinely meant what he said.
As she drove home, the evening was on constant repeat in her mind. The connection she shared with James felt special. She prayed he wasn”t playing her.