The Kite and the Sea

Collect the most beautiful of shells you see. Make a wish, one, two. Spin around. Toss the shells into the ocean blue. Do it with a friend, three, four. Shells spin 'round on the ocean floor.

Captured by the wind and moved with the clouds, Monti's fiery seaworthy friend and she flew for the first time. Leaning towards the sand, then caught up higher into the sky, the kite in the shape of a flaming shark danced around, its dance if drawn pictured an infinity sign.

Monti calls out to her brother to see what she's finally done. They're flying, and she wants him to fly too. He runs out to the shoreline, and she smiles. She hands over the kite; LJ steers it now.

It's a special moment here. Monti wears her hair down, cute like a bob cut. The sand feels cool against her skin, whilst the sun's rays shine through the cumulus clouds, warming her face. A seagull flew overhead, she gazes toward the ocean. Waiting to be swept up by the sea. Her brother, LJ, pulled up next to her with the kite she gave him. He sat and wrapped his arms around his knees, he tied the kite's handle inside a nearby log in the sand.

The two of them watch the waves. It's too bright to see for long, but the sounds ease their minds. The breeze blows the rough sand and it lightly grazes their skin as the water comes nearer. Monti got up and brushed herself off, she glanced down at LJ and he didn't notice. Then she walks forward to sway with the waves. Her favorite part of this traditional journey to the coast. Her baby blue dress breathed with the wind. Her brown hair went crazy and got stuck between the edges of her lips. Monti raises her arms to the sky, her heartbeats to the sound of the kite flicking about her. She imagines her touch can change the thing, the fiery shark, into a seaborn fish. Free to roam and conquer. Fierce, and also sometimes oblivious. She'd give him his sense of smell, sight, and feelings. He'd be a new species, a red shark, a sea creature that could breathe fire. Just to scare off creatures stronger than him.

LJ went to the kite to undo it before the tide would close in on it. The kite was low to the ground, and LJ was late. The large shark got a taste of the saltwater, and it was plain to see that the shark couldn't be part of the ocean. LJ wound up the string and folded the flaming shark-kite and headed back to the car. Monti enjoyed herself, eyes closed, smiling, turning in a circle. She loves visiting the sea, as the sea is her blanket, the sand her bed. She removed her hair from her face and looked back to LJ. It was time to leave. She knelt in the water, cupping her hands, and she flung the water into the air. It rained onto her face and she thanked the sea and the sky for the time she had here.

Monti went to LJ and they packed the rest of their things into the car and left the beach. This won't be the last time they visit. It never is. Why should it ever be?

The windows are down, the breeze circulates throughout the car. LJ's dirty blond curls sway about as he drives. The sun and moon begin their nightly routine. Monti leans on her hand, her elbow on the car door, and she and the shark watch the colorful sky. Perhaps both wishing to fly.

"It's so blue."