Sandcastles
A walk on the beach
Sand castles were everywhere. The crowded beach was full of them.
“Is there some kind of sand sculpting contest going on?” Raymond asked Danielle with whom he was walking the beach.
“Yeah, it’s the annual sand festival. The grand prize is something like five grand. I’d spend a day at the beach playing in the sand for five grand. Of course, to win you practically need a whole crew working with you.”
“Wow, look at that dinosaur!”
“That’s not a dinosaur. It’s a dragon. Jesus Raymond, you really missed out on life by not ever reading fantasy books.”
“I read yours.”
“Okay, so you’ve read one fantasy book in your life. And it wasn’t even all that good.”
“I thought it was fantastic. Hey, it was the very best fantasy book I’ve ever read!”
With both hands Danielle pushed Raymond away from her. They were both laughing.
After walking in merry silence for a while Raymond finally spoke up, “You know, sand is a great artistic medium. You can build just about anything with it then the tide comes in and washes it all away. Then there are those Buddhist monks in Tibet who spend days creating elaborate sand paintings and when they’re done they get their brooms and sweep them all away.”
“That’s why I don’t use sand. That’s why I write books. They last longer.”
“Seriously? Do you really believe that? You can drop a book on this beach and the incoming tide will destroy that book just like it destroys the sand castles and sand animals.”
“Yes, but with digital books they can last forever.”
Raymond laughed, “In a hundred years when there are gazillions upon gazillions of books available digitally do you really think anyone will be reading our books? People only want to read what’s new. No one reads my books anymore and they’re only ten to twenty years old. Books are as ephemeral as a grain of sand on this beach. We write books because we want to leave some permanent legacy but 99.8% of all writers are totally forgotten within ten years of kicking the bucket or writing their most recent book.”
“Jesus, Raymond. Do you have to be such a disgusting buzzkill?”
“Sorry. It’s all true, though.”
“Sure. Right. My fantasy book has been out for three and a half years and sales are down to single digits. But I’m working on another book. Hopefully that will encourage readers to go back and read my first book and that will keep it alive. You know, that’s why your many books no longer sell. It’s because you haven’t come out with a new book in what? Eight years?”
“Almost nine.”
Danielle and Raymond fell into silence as they continued walking. Soon they were past the sand festival and the beach became much less populated.
Abruptly, Danielle stopped walking and turned to face Raymond. Raymond also stopped walking and took a couple of steps back to face Danielle.
“Raymond, I want you to tell me the truth. Why are you leaving?”
Raymond looked up into the sky as he rubbed his face with his hand. After a moment he looked her in the eyes, “It has to do with what you were just saying. It’s time for me to write another novel.”
“So? Why do you have to leave to do that? Why do you have to go to some mythical cabin in the woods to write? Why do you have to be away from all other humans to write?”
“That’s just how I write.”
“I could never in a million years do that. I need people around me. I could never have written my fantasy novel without you around. You were a really, really good friend to me. You read my stuff, you criticized, you encouraged me, you pushed me. Seriously, I never would have finished that book without your friendship. And now I’m writing a new book and you’re turning your back on me and leaving. Why are you doing that? Sometimes you can be a real asshole.”
A lone tear slid down Danielle’s cheek.
Raymond grabbed her shoulders, “Danielle, I’m really, really sorry. But I’ve really gotta do this. I helped you with your first book but you’ve gotta be able to write on your own now. You’re a fantastic writer and you can do it. And we can still communicate. But we’re different kinds of writers. You need crowds but I need to disappear to a cabin in the woods. That’s just how I do it. Listen, I promise I’ll be back.”
“When?”
“I don’t know. As soon as the book is done. I promise I’ll be back.”
Danielle fell into his arms and they hugged for a long time. She then broke off the hug and began walking the beach again. Raymond followed.
“Well you better be back soon, goddamit. I plan on having a mind-blowing fantasy novel ready for you to read. Plus I want to read your book. So it better not be long before you’re back.”
“So is this new fantasy novel of yours gonna have dragons in it? And elves? And wizards? And magic rings?”
“Of course, silly. But you know what else I’m gonna add to it?”
“What?”
“An asshole.”
“An asshole?”
“I figure if you’re not gonna be around for me as I write the book I may as well just put you in the book.”
With both hands Raymond pushed Danielle away. They both erupted in laughter then continued walking the beach in silence.
After just a few moments Raymond was hit with a flash of inspiration. It was a potential title for the book he was about to start writing; Sandcastles. With his next thought he realized that the book would probably be some kind of love story.
Copyright by White Feather. All Rights Reserved. This is a work of fiction.
Speaking of beaches…