Skipping Rocks

There’s a natural made harbor in my hometown and it lives right along the coast. One side of this harbor is covered in rocks; they were placed there initially to protect the extension of land that reaches out into the sea. The other side is sand and pebbles. On a sunny day it is a wonderful place to observe. Children lift rocks and collect small crabs as they try to skitter away, games of tag on the sand are along the strip of beach, lunches are packed and carried along, and people just come to enjoy the sun or the relaxing sound of the waves. Me? I go here to skip rocks.

Today it’s sunny. I only skip when it’s nice weather. When it rains I’ll try to but last only about three or four minutes before the rain drives me back into my vehicle. I go here because it’s close to my home, on the beach side the waves are very gentle which makes it perfect for skipping, and the best rocks naturally inhabit this shore.

I scour a patch of outcropped rocks for the perfect tool, after it will go through close inspection. I discover a round one, pick it up in my hand, estimate its possibilities of success, and stick it into my pocket. I do the same for five others then I walk down to where the friendly waves happily greet the shore. I look down and my toes are speckled with sand. They look like some sort of bumpy reptile. I wriggle them and my brightly painted toenails wave at me.

A soft breeze sways my hair over my face and I tuck it behind my ears. The pieces that are too short to be restrained rebelliously return to nagging my face. I turn into the wind and force them to my will. As I turn I notice a figure walking this way. It’s normal to accidentally bump into strangers on days like today. The sun is out and people flock to the water like seagulls on a french-fry.

I find myself staring awkwardly at the figure. As it moves closer I realize that this figure is very attractive in the most appealing ways. The young man has distinguishing and rugged features, tousled black hair, and perfect teeth that beam in an open smile as he walks. He isn’t looking at me of course, he is admiring a bald eagle that just perched on a log sticking out of the water about fifteen feet away. In his claws the majestic male bird holds a small fish; it’s wriggling like an ant under a microscope. In an instant I watch as he swallows the creature whole then takes off again in flight. His shadow is an acrobatic plane; wheeling, twisting, and turning.

I look back to my approaching stranger. He’s looking at me and I quickly drop my gaze to the rock in hand. I feel its polished surface worn down from the waves, I decide to toss it. It skips six times across the water like it were on a trampoline and with a satisfying “PLOP” it sinks into the ocean to become a part of the never ending marine-life cycle.

I look back up and he’s still looking gazing at me. I flash him a quick smile.His board shorts and t-shirt play in the breeze and his hair flies about. Even in the midst of an outside force trying to wreck his flawless image, he still manages to hold it together with ease. I mentally take note of that ability.

In my attempt to gawk at him unnoticeably the space between us slims and I catch my breath. He’s seven feet away. I have no time to turn away and I don’t want to be rude.

He stops two feet from me, his smile still greeting me.

“Hi!”

Oh geez, can I even respond?

I squeak out a quick and raspy, “Hello.”

“I see you’re skipping rocks. That last one was pretty good!” His face lights up and his stunning green eyes twinkle. They are such a beautiful contrast to his black hair.

“Yeah… Thanks…” I look down and begin to pull out another rock from my pocket. “Do I know you?” I ask him quizzically.

“Nope, but that’s okay! Sometimes a smile is all it takes!” He grins.