'Can't' is a Strong Word

          We went surfing this morning. That is, Ed and I body boarded and Sharona surfed. She offered to teach us but we decided we’d rather stick with what we knew in the limited time.

            Eventually, by late morning, Sharona decided to take a break while we stuck at it in the waves. As I boarded into the beach with Ed we watched her towelling herself dry in the bright sunshine. We both came to a rest on the sand, maybe fifty metres from her, and neither of us moved. We just watched. The sun shone off her skin, mottled by flecks of sand, and her hair strayed in the breeze as she gazed out to sea. I looked across at Ed and he smiled and nodded.

            “You’ve done well there mate. She’s a real gem.” He looked away at her again. “I’m sorry if I was a little unenthusiastic about her coming along,” he added.

 

*

 

            In the afternoon we hit the beach again and I marvelled at Sharona’s surfing skills. She’s quite a girl, with her vampire stories, singing and surfing.

            “Is there anything you can’t do?” I asked.

            “Can’t is a strong word, Tom,” she replied and laughed.

 

*

 

            This evening we dined at Matt’s pizza place again. He set us up on the best table in the house, overlooking the beach at sunset. Ed was charming and I could see he was really warming to Sharona. I’m going to bed happy tonight.