The Beach House 🌸Beth

 

Louisa knew her grandmother was at her wits end with her. Evidently, the old woman knew the art of being alone.

She'd told her from time and time again that she didn't need to be here.

"But I like it here," Louisa wished she lived at the beach all the time. And of course, the whole family was worried about Mimi. Was she eating? Did she remember to even go to bed? Thelma was sufficing at the moment, full of stories about her old flames before and after Louisa's grandfather passed. She reported to her mom by text. Still, it was a lonely job. Especially, when Thelma wished to do her own thing.

"You need to get out and meet people," Mimi aka Themla told her. Actually, she thought her grandmother wanted her to find a job. 

"But, I'm taking a summer break," Louisa had left Boston and all that came with it. Really, she didn't want to go back anytime soon. As the song said, "Time heals all wounds." Still, it was maddening to think of Tony and the fallout with him. She didn't mean to be so bitter, but it was like he'd exposed a wound that she'd never been proud of. Although, like the waves in the ocean she was getting used to the truth about herself and yet like sands in the hourglass.. Oh, she was thinking about Days of Our Lives. 

Mimi had the old soap recorded on VHS. She still watched the good ones, she said. She wasn't going online for anything. No, she liked to watch Bo and Hope when they were young.

Yes, it was like Louisa entered a whole new universe and maybe she was too awkward to get back to reality, but Beth had said yes about the Farmer's Market. So she walked down to the Beach House in the late afternoon. It wasn't even six yet.

"We'll have plenty of time to shop," she'd said. Still, she could see Beth was worried about Jasper.

"Tell me about the artist you met?" Louisa remembered and hoped it would take Beth's mind off what Jasper was capable of. He was so docile. How could the chocolate lab be such a mess?

"It feels kind of like a nightmare now," Beth told her as Jasper pulled her along.

"Are you sure?" Lousia smiled back. "It might have been a dream."

"No, he ate all the food in the house," Beth insisted.

"Really?" Oh, he didn't sound like a keeper to Louisa. "Did he try to paint you?" When she said, it sounded like he'd taken paint and splattered the brush all over Beth. "You know, what I mean." She winced.

"No. He said something about seascapes." Beth was even-lipped about the matter.

"Interesting," Louisa nodded. She showed Beth the block of vendors. Some were selling veg and fruit while others sold crafts like earrings and embroidered dresses along with crochet bags and whatnot.

Beth picked up some fresh fruit, greens, and cucumbers. Even long after, Beth's fragrance lingered of lemon and sage with a touch of Patchouli. It felt calming to Louisa.

"Mimi only likes frozen vegetables," Louisa sighed. Really, the menu was limited. The woman would not go near a protein shake. Louisa felt comfortable telling Beth about her woes of living with a woman who could live on six baked chicken legs a week. 

All was going so well on their walkabout and then Jasper let into a labradoodle. Honestly, Louisa didn't see that coming. It took both of them to hold Jasper back. She knew it embarrassed Beth as if she had no control over her dog. And Beth was afraid Jasper might bite her, but he didn't.

They settled down at the ice cream shop. Beth didn't want to give any to Jasper. "I'll feed him, you have the mocha ice coffee," Louisa said as if Beth had been through enough. She took Jasper and his leash.

Beth got a drink for Louisa while Jasper lapped up the treat. They walked on toward the boardwalk to look out to the sea in the late sun but chilly breeze.

"God, I'll be up all night," Beth told her halfway through the frozen creamy drink.

"Me, too." Louisa smiled back. "Maybe we should try the wine bar."

"Oh, I dunno." Beth shook her head.

"Without Jasper," Louisa looked at the dog. He really was like a lightning bolt. "If you're awake at ten call me." She gave Beth her phone number then. Beth smiled as if she might take her up on the offer.