this through. Usually, I work out my stress and frustration in the gym practicing, but it's too late. I'll have to go to the one place I always find peace and serenity, the beach.
I wipe the tears from my face as best as I can and place my napkin on my plate. Scooting my chair back, I stand. Looking at my parents, the two people I adore most, other than my brother, that has just hurt me worse than ever imaginable, I ask. "May I be excused? I really need to be alone right now."
Both parents nod their heads, excusing me from dinner, before mom says, "You can go for now, but we need to finish this conversation later."
I can't imagine it being anytime soon. "I'll be home later, don't wait up, okay? I'll get a cab." I grab my purse, turn and walk as fast as possible until I get to the door of the lobby.
I reach the outside of the restaurant, before my breaths become short and quick. I bend forward, placing a hand on each knee, trying to breathe. I'm on the verge of a panic attack, one I haven't had since Grams died. Breathe Kinzleigh, breathe , I repeat to myself over and over, trying to calm down. I finally catch my breath enough to stand upright. I walk to the curb and hold up my arm trying to hail a cab. Thankfully, it's late enough I don't have to wait long.
Getting in the cab, an elderly white haired man, wearing a beret, turns to me tipping his hat. "Miss, where would you like to go?" I probably look like a hot mess. I pull out my compact mirror to try and fix myself and look back at him. "The pier please."
CHAPTER 4
Kinzleigh
The cab pulls in about a half mile from the pier. The driver turns to me, placing his arm over the back of the seat, "Is this okay miss?"
I nod and hand him a twenty, "This is fine. Thank you. Keep the change."
I open the door, placing my right foot outside, when I hear the driver clear his throat. "You look like you've had one of those days. I hope things get better for you."
I step out of the car before sticking my head back inside, "It isn't looking that way, but thank you for your kindness. It's a rare quality these days."
I shut the door and watch the driver pull back onto the street. I turn around facing the sand, luminescent in the moonlight. Holding on to the rail that leads down the steps to the beach, I pull off one shoe followed by the other. I have enjoyed the tranquility of the beach since I was a kid. The waves crashing against the shore always had a way of melting the stress away. I walk down the steps towards the shoreline, my silver clutch hanging from my wrist with my shoes in one hand, holding my dress up with the other. The sand, squishing between my toes, is still warm from the hot day. I make it to the water's edge and stop.
Placing my shoes down in the sand, I release my dress and look up at the sky. It's a beautiful night. The stars are twinkling as if they know I'm here, enjoying their beauty. My hair and dress begin dancing in the breeze. For a summer night, the temperature is perfect. It's dark being so far away from the street lamps, but I welcome it. As I look out across the water, the Pacific Ocean looks black, with just the reflection of the moonlight. I close my eyes, enjoying the sound and the feel of the water crashing against my ankles, completely at peace. The bottom of my dress gets soaked from the waves washing ashore, but I don't care. I begin to walk out farther into the ocean as if it's calling to me, but decide against it. I still have to get home and I don't have a change of clothes.
The half mile strip from here to the pier is usually free from locals or tourists, aside from the occasional fisherman. That's why I love it here. I can come here and enjoy being free from worry or stress or heartache. It's an escape for me. The only person that knows I come here is Konnor. The night I found out Grams died, I took off and came here. He was worried and ended up here when I didn't come home or answer my phone. That's the last time I had
I wipe the tears from my face as best as I can and place my napkin on my plate. Scooting my chair back, I stand. Looking at my parents, the two people I adore most, other than my brother, that has just hurt me worse than ever imaginable, I ask. "May I be excused? I really need to be alone right now."
Both parents nod their heads, excusing me from dinner, before mom says, "You can go for now, but we need to finish this conversation later."
I can't imagine it being anytime soon. "I'll be home later, don't wait up, okay? I'll get a cab." I grab my purse, turn and walk as fast as possible until I get to the door of the lobby.
I reach the outside of the restaurant, before my breaths become short and quick. I bend forward, placing a hand on each knee, trying to breathe. I'm on the verge of a panic attack, one I haven't had since Grams died. Breathe Kinzleigh, breathe , I repeat to myself over and over, trying to calm down. I finally catch my breath enough to stand upright. I walk to the curb and hold up my arm trying to hail a cab. Thankfully, it's late enough I don't have to wait long.
Getting in the cab, an elderly white haired man, wearing a beret, turns to me tipping his hat. "Miss, where would you like to go?" I probably look like a hot mess. I pull out my compact mirror to try and fix myself and look back at him. "The pier please."
CHAPTER 4
Kinzleigh
The cab pulls in about a half mile from the pier. The driver turns to me, placing his arm over the back of the seat, "Is this okay miss?"
I nod and hand him a twenty, "This is fine. Thank you. Keep the change."
I open the door, placing my right foot outside, when I hear the driver clear his throat. "You look like you've had one of those days. I hope things get better for you."
I step out of the car before sticking my head back inside, "It isn't looking that way, but thank you for your kindness. It's a rare quality these days."
I shut the door and watch the driver pull back onto the street. I turn around facing the sand, luminescent in the moonlight. Holding on to the rail that leads down the steps to the beach, I pull off one shoe followed by the other. I have enjoyed the tranquility of the beach since I was a kid. The waves crashing against the shore always had a way of melting the stress away. I walk down the steps towards the shoreline, my silver clutch hanging from my wrist with my shoes in one hand, holding my dress up with the other. The sand, squishing between my toes, is still warm from the hot day. I make it to the water's edge and stop.
Placing my shoes down in the sand, I release my dress and look up at the sky. It's a beautiful night. The stars are twinkling as if they know I'm here, enjoying their beauty. My hair and dress begin dancing in the breeze. For a summer night, the temperature is perfect. It's dark being so far away from the street lamps, but I welcome it. As I look out across the water, the Pacific Ocean looks black, with just the reflection of the moonlight. I close my eyes, enjoying the sound and the feel of the water crashing against my ankles, completely at peace. The bottom of my dress gets soaked from the waves washing ashore, but I don't care. I begin to walk out farther into the ocean as if it's calling to me, but decide against it. I still have to get home and I don't have a change of clothes.
The half mile strip from here to the pier is usually free from locals or tourists, aside from the occasional fisherman. That's why I love it here. I can come here and enjoy being free from worry or stress or heartache. It's an escape for me. The only person that knows I come here is Konnor. The night I found out Grams died, I took off and came here. He was worried and ended up here when I didn't come home or answer my phone. That's the last time I had
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