II.
She sat overlooking El Matador Beach, writing in her notebook, consumed by her thoughts. It had been two years since her love had passed, and she had come to the ocean to heal, to cope, and to try and make sense of it all.
She didn’t notice the older couple watching her. The husband approached and interrupted her solitude: “Do you see them? The two whales out there.” The young woman did not and, after several attempts from her position, stood with frustration to gain the old man’s perspective. He held her shoulders and pointed to the ocean’s dark blue horizon. ”There.”
She saw them, and, for the first time in a long time, felt a true burst of happiness. “I see them!” she shouted, letting her excitement take over. The older man, happy with himself, moved onward. His wife lingered, a knowing smile on her face. “I always think it’s such a privilege,” she paused and turned to let her eyes meet the young woman’s, “just being able to experience it.” She gave another softened smile and then, like her husband, moved onward, as well.
The young woman wept. She wept because it was true. And then, like her lost love, the whales were gone — perhaps to be seen again in another life. And suddenly, it all made sense