Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Beach Cottage

Photo courtesy of  Magpie Tales
"Francine, do you realize we've been coming to this same cottage for 20 years", cackled Edith as her sister turned into the sandy driveway and past the mermaid mailbox?

"Has it been that long," Francine pondered?  "Um, now that I think about it, I guess it has.  We started coming here right after Chester passed away.  He would have liked it here - you know he always loved the beach.  I don't think it's changed much over the years, do you?" 

"No, I guess just they patch the shingles and slap on a new coat of paint every couple of years.  I wonder how they get the color matched so perfectly after all these years."

Edith yawned, stretched and pulled her suitcase out of the trunk.  "I don't know, I guess it's all that new technology.  As the kids are always saying, 'there's an app for that'.  So, do we cook or go out?  I say we go out.  It was a long ride, and I'm tuckered. There wil be plenty of time to shop for groceries tomorrow."

Francine, agreeing that they should let someone else do the cooking tonight, said "OK, I think I'll go for a swim before dinner just to relax a bit.  Want to join me?"  

"Sure" Edith answered from the hall, "but I'd like to get a few things put away first.  Edith began to put her stuff into the drawers on the left side of the dresser.  Francine always used the right side.  It's funny how little things become habit after so many years.  The dresser's faded finish showed its age just like the old faucet out back where guests have been rinsing the sand from their feet for decades.  The storms and salt water are hard on the pipes.  They are rusted and showing some patina, but like the sister's reminiscence upon arrival, not much had changed over 20 years, including the old rusty water pipe.


This was written for Magpie Tales #27

12 comments:

  1. I had a vision when I read your Magpie .... of me and my two sisters, a beach house, living out our lives in peace and solitude.
    I so enjoyed reading this.

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  2. This is so delightful, Linda. The characters were marvellous, the writing engaging. I agree with Helen, I really enjoyed reading this. I didn't want it to end :)

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  3. Lovely picturesque scene of two sisters growing old together, building memories while the past never lets go.

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  4. aaaawwww! I want to go to the same cabin with my sisters for the next 20 years! What a wonderful story. Wonder if they had grilled lobster for supper? With white wine? Maybe a Pinot Grigio...

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  5. Lovely, Linda. I could see the sisters so well. Great writing!

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  6. smiles. a beautiful gentle magpie...i hope i age as gracefully as your characters and their pipes....smiles. nice mag!

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  7. What a lovely tradition. I'm envious of these sisters!

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  8. How lovely - the sisters are a wonderful match...

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  9. Linda,

    Great story and wonderful characters. I like how you included the concept of age in this story.

    You also have a gift for writing good conversation between your characters.

    I also loved that this story takes place at the beach. I hope that I will be like Edith and Francine...still visiting the beach:~)

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  10. Well, this was unusual tactic to use - creeping up on the pipes at the end of the story! Clever!

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  11. Helen- I'm glad you enjoyed this. May your vision come true.

    Sam Liu- Thank you. I liked the sisters, too.

    ninotaziz- They were like two peas in a pod.

    Miss Nikki- Thanks. I don't know exactly where they are. I pictured them somewhere in the south so I can't say about the lobster, but I'm sure there's wine involved. ;)

    Talon - Thank you for that lovely compliment. I think the sisters get along very well, and have a lot of fun together.

    Brian Miller- Thank you. We should all be as fortunate.

    Willow- I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming by.

    Tumblewords- Aren't they, though!

    Sara- Thank you for your kind words. I love the beach, too. Can't wait for a chance to go back.

    jinksy- Thank you. Glad you stopped by.

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  12. I love it when sisters are great friends. I have two sisters I absolutely adore and can just see the three of us doing that. Great tale!

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