by

Tranquil Cove #Writephoto

photo by Sue Vincent

The beach parking lot was jammed with cars. Outside their blue rental, Samantha stretched her stiff limbs while Jeff rummaged in the back seat for snacks and towels. A tow truck clanked its chains and ground its gears in the midst of hauling away one of several abandoned vehicles, the windshields dusted with a week’s worth of windblown sand.

According to the glossy pamphlet, the rocky headlands and clustered islands sheltered turquoise waves, and the soft sand welcomed blankets and picnics. All inviting. But after days of battling crowds of tourists, the feature that most appealed to Sam was the promised solitude. Unfortunately, Tranquil Cove didn’t look like it would live up to its reputation.

She sighed and read the sign pounded into the sand at the lot’s edge. Someone had hand-scrawled a sloppy “g” on the otherwise formal warning.   “Beware of the grocks. No swimming.” She glanced at her new husband. “What are grocks?”

Jeff smirked and started up the dunes through the quivering beachgrass. “Come on.”

She climbed after him, willing to make the best of it, her toes sinking into the path’s velvet sand. The sound of a gigantic belch reached her ears, and she groaned at the prospect of a mob of drunken rugby players. But when they crested the dunes, an empty beach lay before them. “I can’t believe no one is here.”

“Someone was. Look at all the blankets and towels.”

“And footprints. Where is everyone?”

“Probably exploring the grocks.” He chuckled and headed across the sand to a sweet spot out of the breeze.

Sam helped him spread out their towels. They chowed on granola bars and shared a beer. The beach remained delightfully theirs, and as the sun peeked through the midday clouds, she napped in the rising heat.

Jeff nudged her awake. “Let’s go for a swim. I need to cool off.”

“The sign said ‘no swimming?’”

“Because of dangerous grocks.” He pulled her to her feet. “The sea’s calm, and I can see the bottom. Not a grock in sight.”

She gave in without argument. The water was refreshing, and other than a few rounded rocks, the bottom descended in a gentle slant. She wiped water from her eyes and drifted toward him, pulling herself along the shallow bottom with her hands. He sat on one of the submerged rocks near the shore, staring down at the water.

“What are you looking at?” she asked.

He leaned over for a kiss and then resumed his study. “There are bubbles coming from under this rock. What would cause that?”

She sat next to him. Sure enough, tiny air bubbles leaked up around their hard seat. “I have no idea. Some kind of mollusk?”

~

Eric and Penny unloaded their car in the packed parking lot as a tow truck hauled away a sand-strewn blue rental car. A huge belch split the air and Penny laughed. “You didn’t tell me your brother was here.”

“Ha ha ha.” Eric rolled his eyes. “This place isn’t supposed to be crowded.”

Penny glanced up from reading a sign. “Hey, what’s a grock?”

***

Update:

I’m still on hiatus, but figured I’d post something. And what better than a little story based on Sue Vincent’s Thursday #Writephoto prompt?

I’ll be visiting the blogosphere more often and should be back into a routine by mid-August. I miss you! But I’ve been reading between all the busyness, and that’s been wonderfully relaxing.

My parents are doing a little better after 8 months of health issues. Unfortunately, in a couple of weeks, I have to move them a second time. Their new housing will be more suited to their needs, and we’re all eager to get this last change in place.

Happy Blogging!

198 thoughts on “Tranquil Cove #Writephoto”

  1. Chocoviv says:
    August 26, 2019 at 12:14 pm

    Lovely story!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. inese says:
    August 18, 2019 at 1:00 pm

    Diana, you are amazing. You find the time and energy to write such a cool story 🙂 Hope your mother’s condition stabilizes soon and you get some relief xxxx

    Liked by 2 people

  3. FreeSpirit says:
    August 15, 2019 at 12:29 am

    Oh I love this story, I can do photos but not words like you.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. da-AL says:
    August 12, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    beautiful post – sending you & your family my very best ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Vashti Q says:
    August 8, 2019 at 9:14 am

    Great story, Diana! It’s perfect for the challenge. I hope everything works out with your parents. I wish you and them all the best. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Sarah says:
    August 7, 2019 at 1:03 am

    Wonderful story, Diana!! 😄 Next time I go for a swim I will stay away from any tiny air bubbles I see! 😉
    So glad to hear your parents are feeling a little bit better and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a smooth second move! Take care! ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      August 10, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Thanks Sarah. I’m glad you enjoyed the silly story. My mom is failing fast now (she had a stroke), so I’ll be away a little longer. But no regrets at all. I can’t wait to be back to blogging and visiting. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      • Sarah says:
        August 13, 2019 at 6:57 am

        Oh no! I am so very sorry to hear that, Diana! That must be so hurtful to watch. Never ever even think of blogging when there are more important things to do, like spending precious time with your mom. Wishing you and your family all the best! Please take care! ❤

        Liked by 2 people

  7. Purpleanais says:
    August 6, 2019 at 7:10 am

    Happy to hear you’re having a nice summer, Diana. It’s wonderful news about your parents too. Oh, and I enjoyed the story 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  8. jomz says:
    August 6, 2019 at 12:28 am

    Great story! What are grocks?

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Bel says:
    August 5, 2019 at 9:24 pm

    I love the short story. I wanted more…as always. Glad to hear that your parents are doing well. 😊

    Liked by 3 people

  10. areilly88 says:
    August 2, 2019 at 3:54 pm

    I’ve been on hiatus too, but just getting back to make some visits after a few sporadic posts. Glad to hear you’re seeing some light in the near future and that your parents’ health is more stable! 💚

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Julie Holmes, author says:
    July 30, 2019 at 5:27 am

    Nicely done, Diana! Grocks … heh. Hey, if everyone is eaten, who put the ‘g’ on the sign? Anyway, glad to hear your parents are doing better, and glad to hear they will soon be someplace more suitable. On the bright side, they’re much closer than they were 😀

    Enjoy your week!

    Liked by 3 people

  12. patriciaruthsusan says:
    July 26, 2019 at 3:49 am

    Ah, ha, ha. I loved the Grocks, Diana. Something hungry this way comes. No wonder there’s belching. 😀 — Suzanne

    Liked by 3 people

  13. Photo prompt round-up: Clarity #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo says:
    July 25, 2019 at 2:00 am

    […] Diana Wallace Peach at Myths of the Mirror […]

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Prior... says:
    July 24, 2019 at 12:36 pm

    Haha – bricks have lunch and the tow truck drivers rack it in too!
    Fun story

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Colleen Chesebro says:
    July 23, 2019 at 7:19 pm

    I miss you, Diana! Can’t wait until you return. ❤

    Liked by 3 people

  16. roughwighting says:
    July 23, 2019 at 1:57 pm

    Sigh. You’re back! At least part-time. I devoured your story. Grocks, indeed. I chuckled when the first couple read the sign and ignored it. “Diana has something up her sleeve,” I snickered. Burp!
    Delightful. And delighted that your parents are doing better. Hope this last move is the trick that keeps them well.

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 23, 2019 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Pam. I think I’d ignore that sign too – just graffiti, right? You never know. I head up to Washington again next week, and hopefully by mid-August all will be in much better shape. Then back to blogging and writing. Stay cool and enjoy, my friend. ❤

      Liked by 2 people

  17. Miriam Hurdle says:
    July 23, 2019 at 1:26 pm

    It’s good to see you, Diana. I enjoyed reading your story. Sorry to hear that you have to move your parents again and hopefully this will give them a better care. Take care.

    Liked by 3 people

  18. Tranquil Cove ~ Diana Wallace Peach #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo says:
    July 23, 2019 at 11:00 am

    […] Continue reading at Myths of the Mirror […]

    Liked by 2 people

  19. YBP says:
    July 23, 2019 at 7:34 am

    You clearly have a GIFT Diana! Looking forward to reading more of your work and hearing from you! ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

  20. memadtwo says:
    July 23, 2019 at 6:27 am

    Your story gave me a smile!
    Good luck with the move, hope all goes smoothly. (K)

    Liked by 3 people

    • D. Wallace Peach says:
      July 23, 2019 at 6:50 am

      Thank you, Kerf. I’m glad you got a smile out of this silly/dark tale. It was a thrill to write again and visit a bit with everyone before I head back north. I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. AmyRose🌹 says:
    July 22, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    What a fantastic write, Diana. I was riveted from the get-go! I wish you the very best with your parents and all that must be addressed to get them settled in for a second time. My heart and prayers are with you and your family! 🦋🦋🦋

    Liked by 3 people

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