The Beach House

The wind bit through the lime green blanket. The salt in the air flipped and teased over everything causing the wooden deck to creak. Waves pushed themselves up the dull sand, giving a rhythmic slap to the pillars of the overhanging deck. Struggling light from the setting sun gave its final fling to the fading day. The only bright spark left coming from the cigarette held in the young woman’s hand as she leaned on the railing of the deck.

Kelly dropped the blanket from around her shoulders, letting the cold tear into her. Her blonde hair gathered in the wind beating across her eyes. The light cotton jumper and sweat pants she wore were only for modesty. A shiver of winter reminded her that she could still feel, something she hadn’t be able to do in months.

“I thought smoking was how you planned to kill yourself. But you’re right, the cold would be faster.”

A weak smiled stretched across her face “I’m not looking to die.”

“Really?”

Kelly pushed herself momentarily off the railing, turning her back to the storm. Steel blue eyes meet the hazel of Jessica’s. Chestnut hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Legs pulled in snug as she curled in the swinging chair. Fingers wrapped around a steaming mug.

“What would be the point of stopping?”

Jessica stood, walking over to her friend “it’ll be okay.”

“I know.”

“Have you heard from him?”

Kelly huffed out a laugh, “Not since the diagnosis.”

“I told you he was too young.”

“God, where have all the real men gone?”

“When I know, I’ll tell you”

The two women laughed. Jessica sipped at her mug resting it back on the railing. Kelly took a final drag, flicking the butt into the water below. She pulled another from her packet, lit it and puffed.

“You’re smoking too much.”

“They can’t kill me any faster.”

Jessica groaned.

“He’s tweeting about her.”

Kelly turned to look out at the water below. The water had risen, “So?”

“I just thought you should know.”

“He’s found a women that can provide him the life he wants, let him be.”

“He’s still a pig.”

Kelly shrugged, “does it matter?”

“Guess not.”

The last strand of light released itself and allowed the darkness to consume the light. Kelly slipped and Jessica caught her, gently walking her back to the bench easing her down.

“We should get you inside.”

“Just a few more minutes.”

“You are looking to pale”, Kelly turned her head to look at Jessica, “paler.”

Kelly turned back to the sea. Perforations of light now shone above, tips of white peaked across the sea below.

“I’m not going back inside.”

“I know.”

“The papers are in the desk. Everything is there.”

“I will take care of it.”

Kelly grasped Jessica’s hand. The warmth spread into the women.

“I’m scared.”

“It’ll be okay.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“There is so much I wanted to do.”

“Regrets?”

“I wished I hadn’t bought those tickets to New York for his birthday.”

“Really?” Jessica eyes widened, “You were going to take him to New York?”

Kelly shrugged, “It’s were I was going to propose”

“Marriage?”

“A surprise for his birthday.”

“Marriage?”

“I thought I loved him.”

“But marriage?”

“Just annoyed because the tickets weren’t refundable.”

“You never told me you were thinking marriage.”

A smile broke across Kelly’s lips “Can you move on from that?”

Jessica laughed, “Eventually, maybe.”

“You’ll get over it.”

Jessica’s laughter stopped, “But will you?”

Kelly’s eye’s softened at the question “Does it matter now?”

“I guess not.”

Kelly’s cigarette had burnt right down to the filter. Jessica plucked it out of the hand holding it, walked to the railing and flicked it over to re-join the rest of the pack. She picked up the abandoned mug, now cold. As she turned back, she noticed that her friend’s eyes were closed. Gently she sat back down, pulling the blanket over both of them. The wood still creaked in the wind. The water carried on lapping at the pillars. Dim light from the night stars played across the expanse. A single drop of water ran down Jessica’s cheek. The subtle taste of salt on her lips.