Dance
By Nina
Based on the story Beside
the Ocean by Julie
Webmistress’s Note: Nina wrote this beautiful short story as a
follow-up/companion to my novel “Beside the Ocean.” I, of course, was incredibly flattered and
touched and demanded that she let me host it!
She captured the emotion of my story perfectly, probably better than I
did in the original LOL, and she absolutely did my characters and storyline
justice. I’m sure that you’ll enjoy her
story, especially if you liked mine.
Thanks again, Nina, for this beautiful tribute.
His footsteps echoed in his ears as he
made his way to his back porch. As he stepped out, the cool sea breeze caressed
his face, and he closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, enjoying the smell
of the ocean upon his nostrils.
May you never take one single breath for granted
Letting out that very same breath he
was holding, he opened his eyes, allowing his gaze to set upon that vast blue
ocean. The Florida sun was tinted a bright shade of orange as it had already
begun its daily journey towards the west side of the sky, which was now a
different shade, a mix of oranges and purples. He stepped out of his sandals
and, leaving them forgotten on his porch, he stepped down into the sand. He
allowed himself to feel the warmth the sun had left upon it during the day
before beginning to walk.
He walked for a few minutes, reaching
his desired spot and he sat down. It seemed like only yesterday he had sat down
in this very spot, the sun had been long gone as he held her in his arms. He
carefully placed the single long stemmed rose he was holding next to him on the
sand, and he looked ahead at the ocean in front of him.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
Softly, he sighed, taking in the scene
before him. The ocean was vast and blue, but, towards the horizon, the sun
seemed to spill its orange rays upon it. And his thoughts turned to her. How
many sunsets did they get to watch together? How many more would they have been
able to watch if she was still here? A deep sense of longing enveloped him, and
he wished she were there, in his arms, like they once had been.
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth making
A year, he thought
sadly, it’s been a year, but I still miss
you. And he did. He remembered how he felt when it had first happened. He
felt cheated, like God had played a horrible joke on him. Just when he had
found her, when he had found her love, she was taken away from him. He hadn’t
been ready to let her go then, he knew he would never fully be. He knew not
many could understand him, not his family, not his friend, not even Brian.
True, they hadn’t even known each other for even six months, but they had made
a connection, one that could not be broken.
She had saved him, she saved his body,
and she saved his heart. It was fate that led her to find his almost lifeless
body and bring him to life. It was fate that led them to a friendship. And,
just when he had believed he would never find love, a girl to love and who
would love him back, for who he was inside, not for his money or fame, he found
love. He found love…
…in her.
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
Then he lost her. And when he did, he
felt as if he had lost himself. Every time he glanced out towards her house, he
felt as if someone gripped his heart. It wasn’t her house anymore, soon after
it was sold, and a young couple had been living it ever since. But still, every
time he looked at it, he knew it was hers, just like his heart was. Their love
had been simple; there hadn’t been time for dinners at fancy restaurants, or
trips to exotic islands. It wasn’t needed anyways, they didn’t need that.
When the first stars began to shine
upon the sky, he grabbed the rose and stood up. He walked towards the ocean,
stopping at the shore. He closed his eyes and let the waves wash over his bare
feet.
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
“You were taken much too soon,” he
whispered and he opened his eyes, staring at the ocean. So many times he had
come and stood near the shore, just to feel closer to her. He knew she was now
part of the ocean she had loved so much, her ashes had mixed with it so long
ago, becoming a part of it. Knowing that, his love for the ocean only grew
larger. “I hope you knew that I loved you,” he said and looked down at the
rose, white, symbol of pureness, just like their love had been. He kneeled down
and let the waves touch the rose.
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance
“It’s hard to let you go Olivia,” he
continued, not letting go of the rose, “You meant a lot to me, you still do.”
His eyes reflected the sadness he felt
within, and he could feel the familiar stinging of a tear threatening to fall.
“I know you still look out for me, and you’ll always be here, in my heart,” he
paused, “You once told me I would find someone someday, a girl that’d be
perfect for me, and I’d fall in love with her.
“And I did… I found you, you were
perfect for me, and I fell in love with you. Does love come around twice in a
lifetime?” he looked up at the sky, “I met someone, she seems nice, but… I
don’t know. You know me. It’s hard to let go.”
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
He looked down at the white rose,
enveloped in the waves while he held onto it. A minute passed and he took in a
deep breath. He took in the sea breeze, and he felt it fill his nostrils and
his lungs, and he let go of the rose. He slowly stood up, watching as it rocked
among the waves, floating further and further away. A soft breeze caressed his
cheeks and he smiled, a lone tear escaping his eyes.
I hope you dance
“Thank you,” he whispered, knowing
that, in a way, she had assured him that he could let go, “You’ll always be in
my heart; I will always love you still.”
And he stayed, until the rose had
disappeared in the vast ocean. Then, he began his walk back home. Nick Carter was given a choice…
… he chose to dance.
***
Lyrics: “I Hope You Dance” by LeeAnn
Womack
