Oh, poor Jeremy. He's been honest ... I suppose. Then again, we assume the worst. Lots of possibilities in that "not tonight."
I loved your recording. You have a wonderful voice for audio books perhaps.
Happy holiday, Sharron. Have a great day.
BTW, I watched this disturbing video of the giant wave that rolled through the harbor, so your opening paragraph of this story really rang true far more dramatically that my memories of listening to the harbor sounds. That paragraph was a masterpiece.
Oh, thank you for that, Sue. Yes, the seaside and harbor are catastrophically torn up! It will take a year or more to clean it all up. Compared to the larger pain in this world, though, it is nothing, really. We will survive it.
In the video I watched (in horror), someone mentioned a couple of men on the piers. Apparently, they live on boats in the harbor. I've heard this is often done. Better than a truck camper shell. But holy merde, that must've been a wild ride. I hope no one was injured in that roller coaster. And I heard the three men on the wharf made it out with minor (I think) injuries.
Imagine standing on the end of the wharf, firing up your tractor and all of a sudden you AND your tractor are on a floating "raft', bobbing high and low in the rolling swells. He must have been totally dazed.! A second worker was also floating on a piling and the third one swam to shore! They will have stories to tell for the rest of their born days.
Yes, our shore and small craft harbor are a real mess. So far only one dear soul lost. I feel it will take a while to clean it all up. There is talk of taking out the entire wharf. It is 110 years old and so iconic. We all would hate to see it removed.
It sure would. It is as much a symbol of Santa Cruz as is the boardwalk and roller-coaster. I am sure the townspeople want it all saved. The expense is horrendous.
There sure could be. Or we will be left just wondering. You know, just like in real life, there are not always neat endings... Thanks for reading this short series, Janice
Very true - not always the neat endings we would like. I was in your neighborhood today. My son-in-law had to check out the damage to the Santa Cruz Wharf earlier in the week, So we were at SeaBright Beach - really quite unbelievable and then found the rest room along the San Lorenzo River. The amazing power of Mother Nature was in full view.
A lot happened in those seven hours and I'm sure that these two will be able to put their pasts behind them. I enjoyed the description of the harbor and, as a sailor, the sound of the halyards slapping against the masts. Very evocative writing, Sharron.
I did see videos of the disaster at the Santa Cruz pier. What a shame that it is gone and that a life apparently was lost. I hope it can be restored.
Thank you, Jim. Everyone here wants that wharf saved. It is an icon here that we all identify with -- and especially the old Italian fishermen community. It would not be essential to rebuild the 150 feet that fell off, but the cost to shore up and repair it all will be astronomical, of course. We will pay for it.
Got me on that one Sharron. Why is it my inclination to assume the male is the villain in a short story? Do others find themselves typecasting villains?
Yes, I think that assumption is very common. Here is a three-minute story, where the men are definitely NOT the villain. It may make you laugh on this Thursday afternoon.
Oh no. I thought when he told her about his wife’s passing, they might consider building a relationship. But her ring left at home, not likely. Sometimes we don’t get the happy endings.
I second Jim C. on the evocative description of the harbor at night. Sharron, you are on a roll with this story and these characters if you choose to continue the narrative.
I will probably leave this little story open to speculation, Ken, but I CAN think of a few reasons why her ring might have been put away in the drawer... Hapy New Year to you.
I have both eyes and ears and heart --none of which I use enough, but this one had me imagining good things in the future. These things include your new photo or selfie or whatever and your last name which no longer contains an O at the end.
hmmmm.... Christmas spirit adapts to the new, doesn't it?
I love this story, Sharron. I wasn’t expecting the twist ending (again!), but I’m hopeful these two will have a future together. She left her ring at home, but just like with Jeremy, we don’t know the full story. As a reader, I can make her action of leaving the ring at home mean whatever I want it to mean. Thanks for the evocative read!
Yes, you have pegged it, Justin. Thank you. I am just going to leave it to the readers' imaginations. There are many good reasons the ring was left in the drawer, and many positive outcomes possible here, I think.
And BAM!!!!!!! There it is!!!!!! Sharron, this is such a great punchline - but goodness me, Lucy, really? You tell such terrific stories - this one has been absolutely breathtaking.
Wow, I just love that kind of story, Sharron. So much said without being said. So much depth, and sadness, and want, from both of them. A perfect little Romance.
o...... dear. That did not end well.
I am not sure. Use your imagination and hope for the best!
Oh, poor Jeremy. He's been honest ... I suppose. Then again, we assume the worst. Lots of possibilities in that "not tonight."
I loved your recording. You have a wonderful voice for audio books perhaps.
Happy holiday, Sharron. Have a great day.
BTW, I watched this disturbing video of the giant wave that rolled through the harbor, so your opening paragraph of this story really rang true far more dramatically that my memories of listening to the harbor sounds. That paragraph was a masterpiece.
Oh, thank you for that, Sue. Yes, the seaside and harbor are catastrophically torn up! It will take a year or more to clean it all up. Compared to the larger pain in this world, though, it is nothing, really. We will survive it.
In the video I watched (in horror), someone mentioned a couple of men on the piers. Apparently, they live on boats in the harbor. I've heard this is often done. Better than a truck camper shell. But holy merde, that must've been a wild ride. I hope no one was injured in that roller coaster. And I heard the three men on the wharf made it out with minor (I think) injuries.
Imagine standing on the end of the wharf, firing up your tractor and all of a sudden you AND your tractor are on a floating "raft', bobbing high and low in the rolling swells. He must have been totally dazed.! A second worker was also floating on a piling and the third one swam to shore! They will have stories to tell for the rest of their born days.
They're lucky they survived especially with that tide that tore everything apart. What a nightmare.
Enjoyed that Sharron and glad there was a part two. Who knows how it will go for them but as always, what will be, will be. - Jim
I like the happier imagined ending.... I always do. But life is life. We make the most of it. Thank you for reading my little tales.
A fine conclusion, indeed. They are willing to let the past be gone, and embrace the future!
I hope the harbor in the story, if the same one as near you, didn't suffer much damage in the recent big swells. I suspect it did.
Yes, our shore and small craft harbor are a real mess. So far only one dear soul lost. I feel it will take a while to clean it all up. There is talk of taking out the entire wharf. It is 110 years old and so iconic. We all would hate to see it removed.
That would be a real shame to take it all down!
It sure would. It is as much a symbol of Santa Cruz as is the boardwalk and roller-coaster. I am sure the townspeople want it all saved. The expense is horrendous.
So, I'd guess there is more intrigue to come.
There sure could be. Or we will be left just wondering. You know, just like in real life, there are not always neat endings... Thanks for reading this short series, Janice
Very true - not always the neat endings we would like. I was in your neighborhood today. My son-in-law had to check out the damage to the Santa Cruz Wharf earlier in the week, So we were at SeaBright Beach - really quite unbelievable and then found the rest room along the San Lorenzo River. The amazing power of Mother Nature was in full view.
How long a drive is that, Janice?
About 45 minutes to an hour.
A lot happened in those seven hours and I'm sure that these two will be able to put their pasts behind them. I enjoyed the description of the harbor and, as a sailor, the sound of the halyards slapping against the masts. Very evocative writing, Sharron.
I did see videos of the disaster at the Santa Cruz pier. What a shame that it is gone and that a life apparently was lost. I hope it can be restored.
Thank you, Jim. Everyone here wants that wharf saved. It is an icon here that we all identify with -- and especially the old Italian fishermen community. It would not be essential to rebuild the 150 feet that fell off, but the cost to shore up and repair it all will be astronomical, of course. We will pay for it.
Got me on that one Sharron. Why is it my inclination to assume the male is the villain in a short story? Do others find themselves typecasting villains?
Yes, I think that assumption is very common. Here is a three-minute story, where the men are definitely NOT the villain. It may make you laugh on this Thursday afternoon.
"Fahrenheit 32" -- https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/fahrenheit-32-050?
Oh no. I thought when he told her about his wife’s passing, they might consider building a relationship. But her ring left at home, not likely. Sometimes we don’t get the happy endings.
How many reasons can you think of why her ring is in the drawer? I think there might be more story here, Kathleen! Ha ha ha. Happy New Year to you.
Oh, you little tease I can't wait
I second Jim C. on the evocative description of the harbor at night. Sharron, you are on a roll with this story and these characters if you choose to continue the narrative.
I will probably leave this little story open to speculation, Ken, but I CAN think of a few reasons why her ring might have been put away in the drawer... Hapy New Year to you.
I have both eyes and ears and heart --none of which I use enough, but this one had me imagining good things in the future. These things include your new photo or selfie or whatever and your last name which no longer contains an O at the end.
hmmmm.... Christmas spirit adapts to the new, doesn't it?
Too much eggnog... thanks for the heads up, Jill. I found the missing O here on my desk and put it where it belonged.
I seem tO have lOst lOts mOre OOHs than just One...but have fOund plenty Of AHHHS!
And your humor tickles my funny bone..with that eggnog you can probably hear me giggle?
👍🏻🩷
I love this story, Sharron. I wasn’t expecting the twist ending (again!), but I’m hopeful these two will have a future together. She left her ring at home, but just like with Jeremy, we don’t know the full story. As a reader, I can make her action of leaving the ring at home mean whatever I want it to mean. Thanks for the evocative read!
Yes, you have pegged it, Justin. Thank you. I am just going to leave it to the readers' imaginations. There are many good reasons the ring was left in the drawer, and many positive outcomes possible here, I think.
A suitably untidy ending brimful of possibilities, some good. Lovely storytelling
Yes, that's life all right -- untidy. Thanks, Barrie
And BAM!!!!!!! There it is!!!!!! Sharron, this is such a great punchline - but goodness me, Lucy, really? You tell such terrific stories - this one has been absolutely breathtaking.
Wow, I just love that kind of story, Sharron. So much said without being said. So much depth, and sadness, and want, from both of them. A perfect little Romance.
Wow, Ben. Thank you so much. I am touched by this comment. Your opinion means a lot to. me, you know!