Memoirist Idol Contest
By the Way
A romance memoir
beach runs with my dog breezy free companionship shoreline tracks erased
One was shorter than the other; both were muscular and evenly bronzed, relaxed in conversation, with beautiful smiles and white teeth. These two were friends and had been for many years. In recent weeks, Dr. Daniel offered Ashika a place in his office to continue his massage practice. They sat on the edge of their towels, with their feet in the sand, feeling the sun and breeze while watching the shoreline at Baldwin Beach.
The parking lot was all but empty. Old swayed palms lined the entrance out to the sand. A few people walked in the distance. Nevertheless, visiting this beach was routine for these guys. Sometimes they would run, other times just to talk. It was always a place to enjoy the light, filtering through cloud formations and ocean reflections.
A young woman came running with her dog and jumped off the small dune, from behind where they were sitting. She did not take notice as they watched her, just continued running in the company of her frolicking dog. Ashika continued staring and said, “there goes my wife.” Dr. Daniel looked at Ashika and asked, “Do you know who that is?” “No, do you?” Ashika asked.
words spilled from his lips romance unrolled -crushing waves caught her by surprise
Three weeks later-
It was a hustle, but then again, what else was I going to do? Living on Maui was expensive and besides, working at the Chart House was a way of making new friends and creating new experiences. Waiting tables had always been just a job to bring in a little more income towards fulfilling my dreams.
It was mid-afternoon, and my shift was finishing. I had just a few more tables to clear and re-prep for the dinner crew, soon to arrive, then I could go home.
“Hey, Kimberly, some guy is at the front door, here to see you.” “Thanks,” I said as I punched my time card. Grabbing my purse and rushing to get out, there stood Ashika, looking like an island Viking. I had recently met him at my new office in “up-country” Makawao.
I think my heart skipped to see him standing there smiling at me. The only one I could have imagined to have been waiting for me would have been my husband.
naked innocense raw unprotected beauty breaching whales -slow time
“Hello,” he said in a shy sort of way. “Would you like to go have tea someplace?” I laughed nervously and said, “I prefer to go to the beach.” My head was racing. Why was he here, asking me to go out? I was so flustered, and yet the idea of spending a little time talking was very ok for me. I knew I was charmed and also felt a powerlessness of flirting energy awakening in my senses.
We decided to take my car, an old rusting Canary yellow Volvo Wagon. Driving, talking, giggling, and lacking directional attention, we first found ourselves lost in a neighborhood of Kahului. Eventually, we made our way to a remote beach. I parked, took off my shoes, and we walked out towards the sea. The waves were high, and the surf a bit choppy. Being autumn, the Humpback whales were plentiful on this side of the island. They return every year to Maui to breed and care for their young. Within minutes of arriving, several started breaching. I squealed with joy.
“Shall we swim?” I asked. “But, you do not have your suit or a towel.” “No, but just a quick dip will be okay. There is nobody else out here, ” I replied. Nudity on the island was not a big issue in my mind, and we were not on any main beach. Without hesitation, I pulled off my clothes, left them in a heap, and ran down to the shoreline. He just stood there watching.
As we returned to the Chart House, where he left his car, he asked if I would like to go kayaking sometime. He said he had friends to borrow from for the following weekend. Just like when he asked if I would like to go for tea, I felt the helplessness of my answer, “of course!” Then I said, “there is something I want to tell you.” I paused looking into his eyes, “I’m married.”
Copyright reserved. Kimberly Hampton Nilsson July 26, 2022
Thank you for reading this romance memoir as part of a memoir in process.
KiKi Walter thank you for this opportunity to present small sections of my larger memoir in progress!
M.J. Flood, The Time I Killed a Butterfly, is so beautifully written. I felt your pain and honesty. You are tender and funny. I’d say you must be one great friend to have in this life! Keep writing about the simple happenings connected to deep emotions in your life and you will have tons of listeners!