Empty Beach

By Ami (Gypsie) Offenbacher-Ferris

In response to #Write Photo – Walker’s Challenge by KL Caley

https://new2writing.wordpress.com/2022/02/03/writephoto-walkers/

Jonathan Kilgore Kirkpatrick the Third meant to enjoy his vacation regardless of the weather. It was after all, his first in six years and with luck, perhaps he’d meet his next wife here in this beautiful resort on the shores of Thailand. He loved everything about Thailand, the people, the food and in particular the varied landscapes and adventures Thailand had to offer.

He had Robert make up a beach bag, complete with lunch and his favorite wine, some snacks and even a bit of schnapps to cleanse his pallet afterwards. Thinking about how much he was going to enjoy this down time, he noticed belatedly that the usually bustling beach, was completely empty. No cabana’s, man-servants, lounging dignitaries or wealthy Americans strewn across the pristine white sand. Not even a child in sight, digging those obnoxious holes in the sand.

Jonathan could not believe that a few clouds and a bit of windy weather had kept everyone from coming down to this magnificent blue sea. Although as he gazed out across the usually turquoise waters, he seemed to think they might be a bit murky.

Spreading out the over-sized plaid blanket, he set out his belongings, lunch and wine meticulously as he was a meticulous man. Slipping out of his custom made slacks and belt, his elegant swimming trunks emerged garish against the backdrop of nature. Slacks, shirt, socks were folded perfectly and placed into the beach bag provided by the resort. He fingered the handmade item, ran his finger over the bright red Hibiscus which had, he’d been told, been hand stitched by the local women. He wondered why they didn’t just use a printer and an iron to design the bags. The thought left before he even finished thinking it, such was his way.

An odd happening caught his attention. He was mesmerized by the water as it was receding at a rapid rate. So fast in fact, that fish and shellfish, algae and conk were left stranded in the sand, starved for oxygen. He was surprised the birds were not hoarding all of the suddenly available seafare but, there was not a bird in sight.

He thought perhaps, he should go pick up a conk or two as they’d make nice gifts upon his return back to his home country. The water receded further, so far out he could no longer see a spot of blue as far as the eye could see.

Returning to his blanket, he poured his favorite wine into the crystal goblet Robert had carefully packed for him. Jonathan toasted the sky, the sand, turned to toast the currently nonexistent sea and that’s when he saw, something. It looked to be miles and miles away but appeared to be frothy and white. Waves perhaps? The sea returning? Good, he was looking forward to a nice swim.

The ground began to shudder beneath him, a deafening noise he could not place disoriented him. Jonathan stood up just as the one hundred foot wave swept over him. Tsunami warning horns continued to blare all around.