an adventure

the sea is loud late at night, without competition from sea-soaked, sunscreened families, and the relentless buzz of nearby traffic. it's very noisy, and it's very quiet. they're completely alone on a soft pillow of sand. moored. it's dark: midnight's grey washing all around; water a deep creamy coffee brown, white-tipped with frothy crashing waves. it's cold, too. a tough, gritty wind that rises, falls, whips up sand, blues lips, and chills bare legs.

she's wearing a summer dress. she wraps herself in a beach towel, and in his arms. they talk about big and lasting things.