Writing in the Sand
a holiday romance
by Jack Kendle
Chapter 9
WRITING IN THE SAND
The way ahead
Pip and Ricky started to wander back along the beach. The wind had dropped and the clouds were gradually clearing. Here and there, out to sea, a stray sunbeam shot through the retreating clouds, highlighting the foam-flecked surface of the sea. Gradually, the sunbeams multiplied, like spotlights in a theatre.
"Bible weather," said Pip. Ricky understood immediately what his friend meant. He too, had a children's illustrated Bible and many of the pictures had sunbeams piercing the clouds, denoting, no doubt, the glory and mystery of God.
Pip picked up a branch, which had been washed up on the shore. It had obviously been a long time in the sea; it was worn almost smooth and was bleached white. With the sharper end, he began to trace a picture in the sand; a heart pierced by an arrow. On the left he traced his own initials, PP and opposite, after a quick glance at Ricky, who, engrossed in the drawing, didn't notice, Pip traced a question mark. Seeing it Ricky gently took the stick from Pip and without a word, smoothed over the question mark with the toe of his shoe replacing it with his own initials RJ, followed by an X.
The two boys stood back, admiring their handiwork, whilst in the sky, the sunbeams smiled down, laughing and glittering on the sea.
Pip made to erase the heart, but Ricky gently laid an arm on his.
"No," he whispered, looking deep into Pip's eyes. "Leave it. I don't care who sees it. Let the whole world see it. RJ loves PP." His hand found his new boyfriend's and held it. The two young teens, on the threshold of their lives, holding each other's hand, looked through tears of joy at the splintered images of each other as a sunbeam, shining straight out of the clouds, almost miraculously touched their heads, bathing them in its light, like a benediction.
The boys moved slowly on, talking quietly. Ahead of them, like the deserted and rainwashed seashore, their lives stretched before them, whilst behind, the waves began to gently nibble at the writing in the sand.
THE END
