Excert from Shark’s Breath
It turned out to be a beautiful day on the beach today–I enjoyed a lovely walk on the north end of the island hoping to find some cool shells–no luck. Still, the walk was pleasant–always pleasant–keeps the wheels turning. Still working on SHARK’S BREATH–here’s a little excerpt:
“Will that be all?” The waitress asked, glancing at the napkin laid across the barely eaten food on his plate.
August Temple nodded a yes and handed her a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change.” He added.
“My—big spender, huh. His ex-wife slid her eyes to his wallet, then glared angrily at him. “Where did you get all the money Auggie?”
“I work for a living.” He returned the glare, softening his expression immediately as the tiny fingers of his daughter pressed against his.
“Daddy,” the lashes of her eyes fluttered as she giggled, “are you still sick?” her sad eyes pleaded.
“No, I’ve been feeling much better.” He patted his thin stomach, then tousled the child’s thick dark curls. ‘I think I ate some bad food,” August’s eyes slide to his wife’s, then back to his daughter’s.
Tiffany smiled broadly showing her teeth, her eyes twinkled. “Good, I don’t want you to be sick, Daddy.”
“Don’t worry about me, little bug. I’m doing just fine.
The little girl glanced from her mother then to her father, “Do you have lots of money? Mommy says if you—“
August’s eyes glared again at his wife. “Sweetie, I wish I did, But no, I don’t have a whole lot, but if you really need something, I’ll try to get it for you.”
Rising from the table, the trio exited the doors of the Fish Hook Grill, walking into the parking lot.
Releasing her mother’s hand, the four year old reached for her father’s. “Can I stay with you tonight,” her tiny voice asked.
Sweeping his daughter into his arms, August smoothed the hair away from her face. “Sorry, little bug, I’ve got to get up real early in the morning—going down to Charleston. Have to go to work.” He paused, receiving a long hug, “But I promise—as soon as I get back from shrimping, you and me are going to spend lots of time together.” Avoiding his wife’s steely gaze, he settled his daughter back to the ground and squatted before her.
She was so pretty, so delicate. Her face beamed lovingly up to his; her perfect small mouth turning upward into a smile. “Kisses, Daddy.”
QUOTE: ” There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you — of kindness and consideration and respect — not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.” John Steinbeck
WRITING TIP: If you love writing it does exactly what John Steinbeck says, “releases in you strength and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.”