Page 10 of Picking Pismo

Slipping one out of the package, Claire took a bite. “Thanks,” she meekly smiled. “I love licorice.”

“Please have as much as you want. Alexis can’t have any… or shouldn’t be eating it with her braces, so I didn’t want to offer it when she was here. I completely forgot about the no candy part of having braces… though I’m constantly reminding my patients about it. You’d think I would’ve brought something else to share.” His voice faded off. David placed the package of licorice on top of his armrest. “Sorry, I’m rambling.” Even though it was dark, Claire saw his cheeks redden. He rubbed his hands together. Guess she wasn’t the only one who was nervous. “I’ll be quiet now.” He stared up at the movie screen.

“I like it.” Claire finished her first piece of licorice then took another from the pack. Grinning, she continued, “the rambling. It’s kind of nice.”

Over the past month, most of her interactions with others were heavy, laden with sadness. People offered their condolences, followed up with words of encouragement. It was oddly refreshing to have a normal conversation about something as simple as not eating candy with braces. Claire was grateful for his company. More importantly, she appreciated David treating her like a normal person, and not somebody who was fragile. Plus, his rambling was cute.

Behind them, the lady from before yelled, “Hush down you two. Enough already. I can’t hear.”

Claire stole a quick glance over her shoulder. The woman glared again, making Claire giggle. Covering her mouth with her hand, she attempted to quiet her laughing.

Her eyes dilated. Touching her shoulder to his, Claire whispered, “She loves us.”

Nodding, David turned and smiled at the glaring woman. Then he whipped back around. “Sorry,” his hand flew to his chest, “my fault. I’ll try to not get you into any more trouble.”

The rest of the movie played with her in an infatuated haze. Claire remembered to keep Alexis and Juliet in her peripheral view. The movie ended, and the ending credits played across the screen. Immediately, the beach became a buzz of activity as the other patrons quickly packed up their stuff.

Double checking the time, Claire said, “I think I overestimated the length of the movie. I plan on sitting here to wait for Alexis and Juliet to come back. They should be here in fifteen minutes.” Claire gazed over at David who remained seated too. “You don’t have to wait. I mean you can if you want, but you don’t have to.”

Geez, she sounded foolish. Claire gripped both of her armrests with her hands as sweat poured down her back. Why was David making her so jittery? It wasn’t like she hadn’t dated before. But was this even a date when two teenagers were in the middle of it? Probably not.

Steadying her, David placed his hand on top of hers. He locked eyes with her, making her gulp. “I don’t mind.” His voice was soothing and cathartic, practically whisked away with the ocean breeze. “I’ll wait here with you. I’m having a nice time.” Then he removed his hand.

Whoosh. Her heart tripled speed, making her warm all over despite the cool night air. Her throat grew tight. “I am too.” She fiddled with her curled hair, finally tucking it behind her ears. “I’m having a nice time… with you.”

David smiled, putting her further at ease. “Now…” He shifted in his seat, making his shoulder touch hers once again as if imaginary magnets were constantly gravitating their bodies together. “Tell me all about how you ended up in Los Angeles.”

“Ahh,” Claire smirked. “That isn’t a very long story. I went there for college, and then I never came back after I graduated. The end.”

“Why didn’t you come back after college?” asked David.

“After I graduated, I took a job as a physical therapist at a hospital in Los Angeles. I was dating a guy at the time, and I wanted to see how things would play out. We broke up a year later, but by then I re-signed the lease on my apartment for another year. I liked my job, and I enjoyed working with my colleagues and friends, so I never saw a reason to come back to Pismo. At least not until everything happened…” Claire’s voice faded away, and she stared out at the ocean. Sadness wiggled its way back into her being.

David reached out, interlacing his fingers with hers. “I’m glad you’re here now.” He gave her hand a squeeze. Claire didn’t glance over but focused on trying to regain control of her emotions. He continued, “Even if it’s for less-than-ideal circumstances.”

His words danced between them. A true understatement.

“It’s certainly has been less-than-ideal.” Her voice cracked. Claire paused for a moment, closing her eyes. “I don’t know if things will ever get better.” The words a near whisper.

“I’m really sorry,” replied David. His thumb ran in circles across the top of her hand. “I don’t know what else to say.”

Claire sat very still, not wanting to travel down the path which would open the floodgates. They both sat there in their respective silences, staring out at the ocean. The twinkling light of the moon cast a glow against the black darkness of night, Claire wondered how many times she stared at it. Too many times to count, and now the ocean looked different, because her world wasn’t carefree like it was in the past.

Breaking the quiet, Claire said, “There’s something magical about the ocean don’t you think?” She shifted in her seat, leaning in closer to her armrest. “It’s the one place I can go and for a minute I breathe lighter, and the tension in my chest lessens.”

“I completely agree. I feel blessed to live near the ocean.” David rubbed the stubble across his jaw. “I mean whatever is going wrong in my life, I can go take a walk along the beach, and I find a way to sort through my problems. In the early morning, when I have the place practically to myself, it’s my favorite time to come here. It helps me clear my mind and find peace and solace. There’s something healing about being at the beach.”

Then they were abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Alexis and Juliet. Nearly jumping, Claire let go of David’s hand.

Smugly smiling, Alexis met Claire’s eyes. “We’re back and right on time like you asked.”

Running a hand over her unruly hair, Claire tucked the strands behind her ears again. “Thanks for sticking to the rules.” With a shaky hand, Claire pointed to the chairs, trying to find her equilibrium. “Could you girls help me fold up your chairs? Then we can walk to the parking lot to wait for Juliet’s mom. She should be here any minute.”

Alexis paused, reading Claire like a book. “Sure,” said Alexis. “No problem.”

David rose too, folding his chair and gathering his own belongings. After they collected everything, they made their way across the sand to the parking lot. When they arrived, Juliet’s mom was idling in her car. Juliet left. They all watched until her car completely exited the parking lot. Once gone, Claire shuffled her feet. David shoved his hands into his pockets.

Shivering, Alexis rubbed her hands together. “Can you unlock the car? I’m cold. I want to run ahead and get warm in the car.”

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