A Summer in Time

A Day at the Beach

  On Craigville Beach in the summer of 1953

CHAPTER TWO
MONDAY MORNING

The cottage was so comfortable.  Waking up to the grandfather clock, clicking off time, by then it was eleven o’clock.  A quick wash, getting into some clean shorts, throwing on a soft beige shirt and down to the kitchen for orange juice, raisin toast and coffee.

You sat in the kitchen, waiting for one of the other girls to get out of bed and come down.  It was Teri who came first, pretty much in a dither!

"Blair, get your bathing suit on, I want to go to the beach early." she said. "Lets hurry it up!"  Then things changed somewhat!

It took a few minutes to lift yourself.  You returned to your room, climbed into your bathing suit and reached for the things you would need for a day at the beach.

"Teri, I am ready to go," you called out the door to her.  You passed through the living room, peering out the picture window.

Teri, of course was not aware that you had gone through some periods of depression.  Mood changes, even feeling worthless at times.  You had lived through some earlier disappointments.  It  was not easy to keep all that to one’s self.

You re-wore the same shirt and shorts over the bathing suit, which covered your tall slim frame.

Summer air forced its way into the cottage through the front door.  Teri closed the heavy door behind her.

Hyannisport is the quintessence of Cape Cod.  The two of you walked into Centerville towards Craigville Beach passing a tiny post office nestled between two huge trees on Frontage Road.

Passing cars were all heading for the beach just up ahead.

A very slight breeze cooled the approach to the beach which was picturesque.  Truly something to behold.  The sun was cooperating.  There had to be so much history on this road.

There were two weathered wooden shacks directly opposite the beach, the only place close enough to grab something to eat or drink.  People stepped barefoot across the road to the shacks and returned to the beach with their snacks.  Music flowed out of the shacks. 

Automobiles slowly approached the parking lot at the beach. The landscaping around the entrance way was more or less in a park setting.  Expensive homes touched lightly to the north and the south of Craigville. The shoreline extended for quite a distance. It was the distinction from residences that made the beach special.

Teri was usually quite vocal about everything and anything that came into her head.  It was nice to be around her.  She definitely was not serious or worrisome.  She was always supportive, every bit a lady.  At twenty-two, Teri was outgoing and strong-willed, delightful in every way.  Had she lost some weight, she would have looked better.  She worked for a Wall Street firm in New York but her hometown was Boston.  She always managed to spend her vacations on the Cape. 

Stepping on to the beach, you removed your blue sandals, holding them in your right hand, making your way over to the lifeguard stand.  The center of activities  was the best place to locate someone.  This was definitely the place to start looking.

Craigville Beach hardly resembled a public beach. It seemed more like a private beach. There were not too many umbrellas and beach chairs there yet as it was still early.  Small stacks of supplies and beach blankets dotted the sand.  A sweep of Nantucket Sound spread out as far as the eye could see.  Sailboats lined the horizon, heading northward, weaving into the waves.  They were perfectly spaced in a color pattern, moving in slow motion. Time was nowhere to be found.  It was indeed a beautiful morning.

There was a semi-circle of girls and boys in front of the lifeguard stand.  It was hard to capture various conversations, the beach did not amplify voices.

You and Teri claimed a spot and spread out the beach towel.  Off came the shorts and shirt. Your bathing suit, white with a blue print, was held up by two thin straps.  It was less for show, more for swimming.

As for Teri, her bathing suit stretched evenly enough to cover her body.  A big yellow rose, sewed to the front of her suit made it look more attractive.

You let everything fall to the beach towel, the surf beckoned.

It appeared as if no one on the beach had any cares in the world.  It was a special place, on a special day.  Ever so peaceful.  Sun-tanned kids played out on a raft in the water, anchored a safe distance off the beach.  From the raft, they dove into the soft waves, splashing and screaming with laughter.

Small waves rolled up on to the beach, the morning in its full glory.  The entire world had to be someplace else, west of Craigville Beach.

You heard muffled voices along the path to the water.  The surf looked inviting and at that moment, you were unafraid and confident as you dove head first into a small wave, coming right at you.

The cold water woke you up!  You stretched out your arms and turned to look back at the beach.  You were overcome with a good feeling, happy to be alive.

Last year was a good year for you.  You remembered sitting out in back of your house in Providence with a pen in hand, writing a letter to your soldier boyfriend.  The Army still kept a peace force in Europe after World War II.  In many ways, it was a lonely time.  You weren't really ready to take on the world as it was.  It was difficult to share your feelings with anyone. Perhaps this created moods, which became painful.  Your parents suggested you should socialize more.  But there was no one special you wanted to date.  It was indeed a  period of uncertainty.  There was no romantic relationship between you and your boyfriend. But it felt good to have someone to write.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Teri, after returning back to the beach towel.

"I am going to walk up the beach," you answered, "I'll be right back."  You looked down at her.  You wanted some time to yourself.  After drying off, you walked away into some hot spots on the sand and headed back toward the water’s edge.  The surf passed through your toes as you listened to the sounds of the surf and the seagulls flying low over headm seeking food.  You stepped on some sea shells now hidden in the sand.  There was a great sense of freedom here with open space all around you.

Now that you finished college, finding a job was foremost on your mind.  How to start looking, how to go about it without experience would take some doing.  You would live at home until you found a job and your own place.

You looked out across the water and a small sailboat keeping a steady course caught your eye. The bow of the boat slid through the water, perhaps heading for a cove up ahead.  You gazed out over the horizon once more before turning around and heading back.  You retraced your steps, not at all anxious to return to your beach towel.

You passed people speaking quietly on the beach.  The sun continued to keep the beach bright and cheerful.  Your long legs strode forward, stepping lightly through the loose sand.  Some how you appeared lonely against the crowd.

Thirty minutes had gone by, since you set out on your walk.  By now more people were stretched out on the beach.  The life guard stand was up ahead.  You were somewhat relieved to get back to your beach towel.  That had been enough exercise for now.

As you found your way back to Teri, you glanced up at the lifeguard, eyes peeled on the crowd in the water.  You lifted your face towel, not saying a word to Teri.  By now she knew enough to leave you alone.   She would just wait for you to come around to talk.

Abby, another girl staying at your cottage, came along.  Abby had a very conservative personality, a bit starchy in some ways.

"Hi, Blair." Abby greeted you as she approaced with two guys at her heels.

"I want to introduce you to two nice guys."

"Thank you for the compliment," said a tall red head who stood with one leg crossing the other at the ankles.

"My name is Paul and this is my friend David."

Abby also introduced them to Teri.  With some twisting and turning, Teri managed to sit up to let them know she accepted the introductions, then back down she went sounding exhausted.

"Where did you get that shade of red hair?" you  questioned Paul with little or no smile.

"Women tell me this color is wasted on me," Paul responded.

At that point you broke into a smile.  Paul was not what you call handsome.  But he sort of stood out what with his height and trying to be funny.  A small white patch of hair stood out from behind his right ear.  Auburn was more the color of his hair than red.  His eyes were set into a youthful face.  High cheekbones and a square jaw, he looked like a kind and compassionate person.

 He could have used 15 more pounds on him.  He wore a pair of tan washed out trunks.

Very quickly it became obvious that Paul wanted to start a conversation with you.  Your eyes followed him as he sat down next to you.  The temperature had changed by now, it was hot but not unbearable.

"Did you know Hyannis is run by females from six to sixty, all wearing  Bermuda shorts?" Paul said hoping for some response.  He wanted you to smile or laugh.  It really was not funny, he was just trying to make conversation about the fact that there were so many people, all wearing Bermuda shorts on the beach.  All this had to be very new to him.  He looked excited being there at the beach.

Abby lowered herself down onto her beach towel.  By then, Teri sat upright and she and Abby were  intently staring at Paul and you together.  They had found a boyfriend for you.  Silently they exchanged facial signals, wondering if this was a match.

All this time David was quiet.  He took the whole scene in his stride.  He moved to the left of Teri, still standing.

"You are from New York?"  You read his face like a warning sign.

"Brooklyn," Paul replied.

"How did you hear about this place?"  Again you questioned Paul.  By now you were more relaxed in his presence.  You were not able to turn away from him.  But it was way to earl to draw an opinion of Paul.

"I met a girl from Boston at a great bar in Greenwich Village in New York.  She sold me on coming here.  David made all the arrangements. We came in his car," he answered in a deep voice.

David let Paul do all the talking.  David was about medium height.  His black hair was beginning to wear thin in spots. He was handsome, as you would have it.  All the girls always seemed to like him.  He was like a rock, very steady.  He was the kind of guy who knew where he was going and had his feet firmly planted on the ground.  David was very sure of himself in a conservative kind of a way.  Paul on the other hand appeared somewhat insecure.

Coming soon: Chapter Three
 It is always a mystery how a day in the life of two young people who meet at the beach can set a direction over the years, wondering what if!  A relationship can change so many things over.  With hope and good fortune, people can find happiness right in front of them by making heart felt choices.

Sometimes the reason young people cannot see the future is because they are too close, become too involved or have yet to live through experience.  this chapter is all about the beginning.

A Summer in Time: Table of Contents