Life or Death at the Beach?

Life or Death at the Beach?

Dave is a gambler, some would say a high roller

who is possessed by the dice and roulette. 

He spent all last night at the Casino 

and what does he have to show for it but regrets? 

Now, driving his ‘Vette” through the chilling winter air 

he’s trying his damnedest to stay awake..

As he draws near and stops at the seawall 

he’s determined to rid his life of this heartache.

He leaves his car and slips on the wet grassy slope 

that leads to the seawall and promenade.

At the railing he curses the grass stains  

that ruined his brand new Givenchy tailor-mades.

He sees a small diner near the start of the wall. 

It’s new but he’ll venture on breakfast there. 

First though, a walk along the promenade.

It’s long but his lungs need to breathe in some fresh air.

The wall and walkway stretch for two and a half miles 

and then at about two miles Red Rock Park 

juts out into the sea a hundred yards

and he plans to finish his walk there in the park. 

He stops as he nears the park entrance to look down 

at the sea battering the twelve foot wall.

He roams back in time to when he and Norm   

would stand there, while the sea would crash against the wall. 

The spray would leap over the railing and they’d laugh

at each other, as they got soaking wet.

They’re now partners in their photo-service..

Dave commits himself to stop gambling. No more bets.

He walked into the park to its deepest outreach 

and gazed at the red rocks washed by the sea. 

Then he walked to the far side of the park 

where the sea calms and he stopped and took a look-see. 

He leaned against the railing and watched the ocean 

as waves were washing over the beach stones.  

Watching from above, Dave is mesmerized. 

There, standing among the rocks is a man, alone.

He appeared to be a broken-hearted man, seen 

plainly by his bended head and shoulders.

His hair was as white as the gulls he fed 

from his bag of bread that he spread o’er the boulders. 

A woman drew near to Dave and leaned on the rail. 

As the gull’s numbers grew extensively 

a few squawks were now a cacophony. 

Still, he noticed her, as slender, dark haired. blue eyes 

“That’s Joe,” she said as though affirming a question. 

“He comes here quite a lot to feed the birds.

Like his wife used to do before she died.”

He guessed she was late twenties while hearing her words. 

“That’s why he looks so sad. Did you notice his eyes? 

“She died years ago in an auto crash.”

Dave learns Mary knows a lot about Joe 

“They say it was the weather that caused her to crash.” 

Suddenly, two gulls swoop down coming right at him 

He ducks to avoid them and their sharp beaks.

On rising, she’s gone. He sees her nowhere.

Below he sees Joe and Mary leaving the beach. 

Joe’s hair’s no longer white. His eyes filled with delight. 

They turn and wave to him and he waves back.  

They start walking along the sandy beach. 

Dave is stunned and feels he’s had some kind of attack. 

He moves away from the rail to resume his walk 

but his knee and it’s old injury ache. 

He heads to his car limping as he goes. 

Backing out, he checks his mirror and slams the brakes. 

He cringes at the awful sight reflected there. 

He’s an old man with white hair and sad eyes.

He drives past the diner to the market. 

Somehow, he feels he needs bread, plus bags and supplies