EVENING IN A LIFE

Sharon arrived to the squawks and swoops of seagulls. One settled on the nearby seawall.

She smiled. "Do you have Christmas mornings and birthday parties?"

The gull strutted a few steps down the wall.

"Please don't go away. I really need someone to talk to," Sharon said.

The gull stood on one leg and cocked its head toward her.

Sharon rubbed a knuckle under her eye. "You see, I'm in a rotten situation. No. I'm in a hellofa mess and need your advice."

The gull put its foot down, stretched its wings out and swept into the salty breeze. "Oh! Goodbye," said Sharon.

She stood, crossed the esplanade and strolled to the water's edge. "Do you have Christmas mornings and birthday parties?" she asked an incoming wave. It didn't answer.

Sharon walked slowly away. The setting sun peeked over the horizon like a half-drowned orange.

Light glinted off a gold ring in the wet sand.

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