A Beach in New England

"This is how I want to spend my life. On a beach, waves rolling in, good food, great wine, best ever friends. Yup, I'm good". The three others in the group smiled at each other. Their eyes then looked to the stars.

"Yes, summers off. Better get a job as a teacher", Tony said.

"Not sure I want to teach for twenty plus years. Summers off though. Hmm".

Tony and his girlfriend, Ari, started dating as college freshmen.

"I want to travel the world", Cloe said, "so much to experience on this planet. Sooo many beaches to experience". Cloe leaned into Ari and gave her a side hug.

"Ok, one beach per summer for twenty plus years". Tony and Cloe's partner Chris gave each other a look. Cloe and Chris started dating as college sophomores.

"Well, just think, we are seniors now. Graduation in two weeks". A quiet sad moment.

"Where did the time go", Ari blurted out? She did not like that silence.

"Zipped by. Like I say, enjoy each day, the present". They all smiled.

The group sat, semi quietly on the beach, enjoying each other's company. The waves flowed in and out, dropping off fine particles of sand as it receded back to the large puddle. Then again. Then again.

"Something calming about the waves, in and out, onto the shore then out to the pond, in and out. Great thinking noise", Cloe said.

"How lucky we are, to be able to sit at the source".

"Very true".

"Doesn't give any answers".

"Not supposed to. We have all the answers. They are known, the answers, and when we are ready to accept them, then we understand".

"You are so profound". Giggles. The day continued into the night.

Graduation day came, a beautiful sunny day. The friends sat together. Each one waiting for their name to be called, to have that time to walk down the aisle, up the stairs, walk across the stage to accept their diploma then back to their seats. Cloe curtsied after she received her diploma. There were giggles from the audience.

Each graduation class had their own after parties. Wine, cheese and other goodies. Chris and Cloe, Marine Biology and Biology/Botany majors respectively, combined their parties. Good times.

"Starting to darken outside. And I am all talked out", Cloe whispered to Chris, hooking his arm.

"I know. I feel numb", Chris whispered to Cloe.

"There's Tony and Ari". Cloe waved her left arm over her head to get Ari's attention. It worked. They walked over.

"I want to go home".

"The beach house it is", Ari said. They piled into the Jeep Trail Blazer and headed to the beach. It is Tony's grandmother's place. Only ten miles away. The drive was effortless.

No sitting on the beach. They grabbled blankets and pillows and were laying on the sand, gazing up at the constellations.

"Should old acquaintances be forgotten"... They all chimed in.

I'm tired and getting chilled".

"Yup, it is time to go inside". The blankets and pillows were gathered and brought into the house.

"Coffee is ready", Cloe yelled, "meet you on the deck. Tony and Ari were ready for the strong dark roast coffee.

"Well, graduates, how goes it", Tony asked?

"I don't think all this has sunk in yet".

"There goes the routine. What will I do when I don't have to go the Lab".

"I know. There is a feeling of loss, those 4/5 years of work and fun and stress and wine".

"Lots of wine", Ari laughed.

"Yeah, but no day drinking", Tony said.

"Speak for yourself", Cloe replied, "play-off games".

"Ok, that is the ONLY reason to day drink". The group chuckled. Listening to the waves, coffee, scones with homemade jam. Moments of doing and thinking about absolutely nothing except enjoying the food and drink and friends. Priceless times. Cloe broke the silence.

"So, plans for the future"?

"Plans for the summer for now".

"That is the future". All nodded.

"I'll start, travel. I would like to travel".

"Where", Ari asked Cloe?

"Well, go home, of course, Arizona for a while".

"Arizona in the summer"?

"Yes, Sedona, where it cools down when the sun sets because of all the Flora around, not just concrete like in Phoenix".

"Right".

"There was this three-week Botany course in Mexico that I talked about"?

"Oh yeah, where in Mexico"?

"Jalisco".

"Really"? Giggles "that's where tequila is from". Cloe turned to the group.

"Really"? Laughter erupted.

"Three weeks. Another certificate. Then on to Calif and hiking. There is this Geology course, volcanism, earthquake's".

"That would be the area. What about Japan"?

"No, I am not comfortable leaving the US".

"Chris? You and Cloe going someplace together?

"No. I'm going home to Hew Hampshire. Remember that marine Biology course I was on a waiting list for? Well, I received an email earlier today that a spot opened up and I signed up. Three weeks of ocean travel and lab work".

"You do love lab work", Tony said.

"Yes, I do. After that, some of my high school buddies want to go to Canada and hike around. You two"? Tony and Ari looked at each other.

"We are going to Belise for a month".

"Really? What courses will you be taking", Cloe asked.

"No courses, just being tourists", Ari replied. Chris and Cloe looked at each other.

"We will take about plans while there". The group sat, quiet. Ari sipped on her coffee, staring over the rim up at Tony.

"So", Ari started, "Let's meet up together her after the summer"?

"Yup, here, right"?

"Yes. So, you two will be apart for the summer"? Cloe and Chris looked at each other.

"We decided to take a break and see what else is out there", Chris said. Cloe nodded.

"Or who else is out there", Ari said.

"A break. We are free spirits; interests are pulling us in different directions. No regrets about the choices we make, remember", Cloe said?

"Yes, but I just thought", Ari began.

"We shall see", Cloe said. Ari wanted to continue with the questioning but looking at Tony, who was slowly shaking his head, she decided to keep those questions to herself.

The ocean water was a bit cold but relaxing once the body was acclimated. Splashing around and of course, finding some interesting shells or pebbles.

"You know, bits of ruby gems make a long journey to the ocean, getting buffed by the wave actions", Chris said. Now, everyone was sifting through the sand to locate those illusive red gems. Great last days together.

Sunrise on the beach. Cloe was there, alone. No thoughts, just in awe of the spectacle that has happened for eons.

The vehicles were packed, hugs and kisses were exchanged.

"Ok, so when do we meet here? Let's make a time and day", Ari said. There was intensive thinking.

"Last week in August, before Labor Day", Chris said.

"Specific day please". Chris looked at Cloe.

"August 20th", Cloe said.

"Perfect. Ok, hugs and we leave now, or I will start to cry". They hugged and kissed, then into their vehicles, honking as they drove off.

Tony and Ali were the first to arrive at the beach house.

"We won, first ones here", Tony said, laughing.

"I wonder", Ari said, as she unlocked the door and carried the grocery bags in, placing them on the kitchen table, "do you think Chris and Cloe will show up"?

"Yes, they will show up, but will they show up together"? They looked at each other.

"I really don't know", Ari answered.

"Well, we are two days early. There is time".

"I need a half glass of wine, half mixed with water and in the deck chair", Ari said.

"You Roman you". Tony laughed. After unpacking, Tony and Ari were lounging on the deck, listening to the waves.

"I will always feel peace with the wave sound. So glad we found that property deal".

"Yup, now, to decide on a tiny house". Ari laughed.

"So, kinda tiny house".

"And a storage shed. I am not ready to be a full minimalist, not just yet".

"I'm thinking, ever", Tony said.

"I think true hard-core minimalists do not have any emotional attachment to stuff".

"Well, yes and no. There are some emotional attachments to stuff, just not a lot of stuff".

"Spoken like a true minimalist".

"Yes ma'am". Cloe noticed movement at the kitchen door.

"They are here"! Cloe ran out the front door.

"Hey, hey girlfriend", running with her arms open and smothering Cloe with a hug. Chris's jeep pulled in moments later. Ari turned, smiled and waved. Chris returned the wave.

Inside the house, glass of wine in hand, toasting.

"I am so happy", Ari said, "Now the fun begins. Let's sit out on the deck". Settled in deck chairs, sipping wine and nibbling on carrots and such.

"Well, Tony and I purchased a few acres of beach front property in Belize. We are deciding on which tiny home we will put on it".

"Tiny home? You, Ari, in a tiny home", Cloe asked?

"There will be a storage shed as well".

"Well then, that will work", Cloe laughed.

"So, you two, wait, I know, another degree, right"?

"Something like that", Chris said.

"Well, do tell".

Chris reached out to hold Cloe's hand. It was a subtle, barely noticeable twinge. Ari noticed.

Chris looked at Cloe, smiling.

"We came to several decisions", Cloe said. She let go of Chris's hand. Tony smiled.