What the Beach Gave Me

“Now boarding group C! Repeat - Group C may now board!”

The voice - belonging to a female in her 30’s, disinterested and unamused by the bustling airport - sounded over the loudspeaker. If you could call it a loudspeaker, Nia could barely hear her. Between the crying children beside her and their bickering parents, she could barely hear herself think.

“This is why we don’t travel by plane. Or have kids.” Nia muttered, rolling her eyes at the family. The mother caught the act and shot her a glare, which was quickly replaced by alarm as she watched the smallest of her three children fall from a chair. Weren’t passengers with small children supposed to board first? It didn’t matter - Nia was in group C.

Nia gathered her purse and backpack, pulling her boarding pass from her back pocket. She made her way to the small desk, scanned her pass, and swallowed a lump of anxiety in her throat. She hated confined spaces and would usually never be caught on a plane - but she would make an exception. Just this once - For her twin sister’s wedding, she would fly to Aruba.

Once she’d wound her way down the tunnel to the plane and found her seat, Nia popped open a pill bottle from her purse. One pill for anxiety, one pill to sleep, swallowed with a swig of water. She buckled, closed her eyes, and waited for the effects. She was out before liftoff.

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“Nia!” A shrill voice dug into her ears from across the street. Nia flinched at the sound, as she always had. A smile spread across her lips as she saw her sister running toward her. Thin, tanned arms and a mop of shoulder length, curly, blonde hair enveloped her

“Hey Tina,” Nia responded, embarrassed by the attention.

“We were waiting for you! I was so nervous you would…” She trailed off, but Nia knew what she’d meant. I was so nervous you would bail. If Nia were honest, so was she.

“I wouldn’t miss it, T.” Nia smiled, wiggling out of her sister’s grip.

Behind Tina stood her fiance - Derek. A tall, bald man with dark skin and a kind smile. He nodded his head at her as a hello. He was never one with words, which was just as well - Tina spoke enough for the both of them most of the time. Nia nodded back.

“Let's get to the hotel! They have THE most beautiful tub in our suite, you can come soak with me before we head to the beach!”

Tina clapped her hands, jumping up and down - a childish act that always had Nia questioning her sister’s maturity. She started to roll her eyes, but stopped herself. She was shocked to find that today her sister’s behavior pulled at her heart. Something about the way Tina’s eyes lit up made Nia’s chest feel full and tears pricked at her eyes. She was such a pure soul. She deserved a great trip and Nia wouldn’t ruin that with her attitude.

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After a soak in the jacuzzi in Tina’s suite, the girls dressed in their swimsuits and headed toward the beach. Tina’s suit was a hot pink two piece with bright yellow flowers. She carried a pale pink towel and a pink mesh back full of beach supplies - sunscreen, aloe, a full water bottle, and some other small things. Her blonde curls were bobby-pinned around her face and her blue eyes absolutely glowed.

Nia was the opposite. Her hair was long, dark, and pin-straight. She’d pulled it into a ponytail, and secured it upwards with a claw clip. Her suit was a black tank top romper style one piece. All she carried with her was a large water bottle and her beach towel - navy blue with a large owl design.

“Let's go get a drink first!” Tina exclaimed, noticing a beach-side bar. It looked exactly like what you’d expect - a tourist trap. Nia wasn’t excited about visiting the little hut-style bar, but she tagged along with her sister.

There were tons of young people - appearing to be in their early to mid 20s - crowded around the area. For a moment Nia wondered how so many younger people could afford to travel to a place like this. The only reason she and Tina were here was because their father would spare no expense for his favorite daughter’s big day. Had it been Nia, she was sure, he would pay for nothing more than a courthouse event. Nia shuddered at the thought of marriage. She would never be in that situation, so the cost of Tina’s leaving nothing left for her was not a concern.

She realized she’d been zoning when her sister snapped her back to reality - shoving a large orange plastic cup into her hand. It was filled with something light pink and undoubtedly way too sweet. She sipped - yup, she could expect a migraine if she finished this, but for Tina.

The sister’s sunbathed, swam, and laughed through the afternoon. They spoke of childhood experiences that they had both enjoyed - trips with their parents and home days with their mom, mostly. Their dad had always made enough money to allow their mom to stay home while they were growing up. They always had a blast with their mom. Until she got sick. The thought of their mother brought Nia’s mood down every time. She felt the depression tugging at her, dragging her down into the pits that she knew too well. After her death, their dad had gotten meaner towards her. Tina looked exactly like her, while Nia looked more like her dad. Every time he looked at Tina he saw their mom, and it led him to favor her. Just as well. Nia didn’t need him.

She quickly wiped a small tear out of her eye and shook her head, looking up to see that Derek had arrived at the beach while Tina had been retelling a story of a trip she’d taken with their dad - just the two of them - that she’d told a hundred times before.

“You guys enjoy the water, I’ll be right back.” Nia said, brushing sand off her suit as she stood. She wandered across the beach and found herself back at the bar. Not where she’d wanted to go, but at least she could get a drink that better suited her. There weren’t as many people crowded around the bar this time, at least. Most of the visitors had made their way to the ocean by now.

“Beer please, whatever you have.”

The bartender looked at her for a moment, as if confused by the request, before grabbing a golden colored beer in a clear glass bottle. He popped the top off and stuffed a wedge of lime inside before sliding it across the counter to her. Nia took a swig. She didn’t like it, but at least it wouldn’t give her a headache later.

“You okay? You look a little uncomfortable.” The bartender asked.

“Fine. Just not a fan of beaches. Or crowds.”

“Not a fan of beaches… And you’re here?”

“For my sister’s wedding.”

“Ah, that cheery type you were with earlier?”

“That’s the one.” Nia took another swig.

“I see her type here all the time. Young people, traveling on their parents' dime, who want to party on the beach until they die.”

“That’s definitely Tina.” Nia rolled her eyes.

“And you?” the bartender asked.

“Nia,” she answered. “Traveling on my own dime, and would rather die in my bed so no one has to bring my body back.” Damn, Nia. Reel it in! she thought to herself - but the bartender laughed.

“Your own dime, huh? You look young. How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Twenty five, but I have a really great job and I’ve worked my way up. But even so, it took almost everything I had to make it here. For my sister, though.” She shrugged. “Yourself?”

“Names Duncan. I’m fifty three tomorrow. Been working here as a bartender for the last three years. I love the ocean and I love seeing the smiles on other’s faces. Even if it’s only there because you’re handing them alcohol.” He chuckled.

Fifty three? Nia looked up at the bartender - Duncan - for the first time. He had shaggy salt-and-pepper hair, green eyes, and strong features. For a man more than twice her age, Nia had to admit he was attractive.

“Do you have family here? Siblings? A wife?” Nia asked.

“It’s just me. Haven’t really made any friends, either. Most people I meet are only here short term, so it’s hard to connect with anyone. I’d like to meet someone, settle down, and have kids someday. Just hadn’t happened yet, ya know?”

“I feel that.” Nia sighed. Well, the first part anyway.

They sat in silence for a while, listening to the sound of the waves, beach goers, and birds overhead. Nia found that Duncan’s words began to pull at her, the way Tina’s clapping had earlier. She wasn’t sure what it was, but something about this trip was making her feel things she hadn’t before. Maybe it was just that she was letting go of some of her anxiety for the first time in a while, or that she had nothing else going on to distract her from noticing others. Or maybe there was something wrong with her. Whatever it was, she took a deep breath and embraced it.

“Fifty three tomorrow, you said? Hey I know this is weird but we’re all going out for a nice dinner tomorrow - my sister, her fiance, our parents. You could come, if you want. You’re a stranger, that’s weird, I’m so sorry.” Nia stood and started to turn away, embarrassed, but a strong hand on hers stopped her. It was Duncan’s.

“Relax. Nothing to be sorry for. It’s the island, it gets to ya.” He chuckled. “But if the offer stands… I’d love to.”

Behind her, Nia heard Tina calling to her. They were packing up to leave.

“Of course it stands. Those are mine over there,” she tilted her head toward Tina and Derek, “Guess we’re heading out. Do you have a pen?”

Nia wrote her number down on a napkin and slid it to Duncan.

“Shoot me a text when you get off. I’ll give you the details for dinner.” she said.

“You bet.” Duncan’s smile sent a warmth through Nia that she’d never felt before. She smiled back, her cheeks burning, before darting off to join Tina and Derek on the walk back to the hotel.

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Nia stood nervously outside the restaurant, repeatedly smoothing out her knee length forest green evening dress, Nerves twisted her stomach into knots as she waited for Duncan to arrive. Why am I so nervous? The question replayed on a loop in her mind, though she knew the answer. She hasn’t dated since she was 19, due to a horrible relationship with a football player her freshman year of college. He’d been abusive and Nia had never fully recovered - mentally or emotionally. She wasn’t even sure if Duncan would see this dinner invitation as a date, but the idea that he might have made her panic.

Nia was lost in thought when Duncan startled her back to reality, touching her elbow gently. He was wearing a navy blue blazer with black pants and a white button down shirt, his facial hair was scuffy in a way that suited the overall look. His eyes held a bit of concern, but also glowed as he took her in.

“You look beautiful.” He said softly.

“Is this a date!” Nia asked, much too loudly. Damn it, just yell at him why don’t you.

“Oh,” Duncan chuckled. “I wasn’t sure if that was your intention but I was hoping so.”

Nia sighed, relieved. She took a few breaths and steadied herself.

“Date it is, then.” She smiled.

Duncan led Nia into the restaurant, where they found Tina and Derek waiting at a large wooden table with both their parents. A waiter had already begun pouring wine for the table. Tina’s eyes lit up with pure excitement as she spotted them walking in, and she hurriedly whispered to the waiter to grab another place setting for Duncan. By the time they reached the table, his place was set beside Nia’s.

Nia introduced Duncan as briefly as possible, embarrassed at having invited a date to her sister’s fancy dinner without so much as a warning. If she were honest, she was way too nervous that he wouldn’t show up to have mentioned it to anyone. That would have been more embarrassing than an unannounced date.

The group sipped on wine, dined on an exquisite assortment of fresh seafood, soaking in the warmth of the island and enjoying their time together. The night was filled with laughter and each time Nia’s eyes met Duncan’s she could feel herself being tugged a little closer, her chest swelling a little more. She wasn’t sure what this would turn into - if anything at all - but for now she was enjoying his presence so much that for a moment she thought she would be happy to just live in this moment forever.

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Days passed and Nia continued to see Duncan every chance she got. She felt herself falling for him more each time she looked at those beautiful eyes. The day of the wedding came and as Tina and Derek danced their first night away, Nia and Duncan danced, drank, and fell deeper.

Two days after the wedding, it was time to fly back home. Nia felt a solid weight in her gut. She didn’t want to leave Duncan. She knew she was in deep with her emotions, and who would have ever thought? A man twice her age, who wanted to get married and have children. He wanted things she’d never dreamed of having, never desired. When she thought about life with Duncan, though, she could imagine settling down and having a family. She could imagine her entire life with him, but when she thought about going home without him, she felt sick. Bile rose in her throat and she choked back some tears.

Relax, Nia. We have to go home. That’s just the way it is. You have a life. She jammed her clothes in her backpack and zipped it shut. She dropped her bag with Tina, and set off to see Duncan one last time. To say goodbye.

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Tina was tapping her foot impatiently, checking her phone every 10 seconds. She was hoping for a call or text back from Nia but had heard nothing. She’d gone to say goodbye to Duncan hours ago and she was cutting it extremely close. They were all flying back together - for a party with the family who couldn’t make the trip.

Derek gripped Tina’s shoulders, giving them an encouraging squeeze as Tina sighed, assuming her sister was going to force them to miss the flight. Rebooking would be a pain, but she’d never leave her twin in a foreign place alone, so they weren’t going to board without her. Derek’s grip tightened as he smiled and softly whispered to Tina to look up.

Tina looked up and saw Nia, bounding through the airport in a way Tina had never seen before. Behind her, trying to keep up with Nia’s impossible stride, was Duncan - a duffle bag thrown over his shoulder. They approached Tina and Derek. Tina’s cheeks flushed and a grin so wide it almost hurt spread across her face.

“He’s coming?!” Tina exclaimed, clapping her hands again in a way that lit up even Nia.

“Sorry I didn’t call. There was a seat available and well we…”

“No apologies! When ya know…”

Tina squeezed Nia and then Duncan, and together the four of them made their way to the gate - on their way to a new life none of them could have expected to find.