The Shoreline

Bradley stands on his ocean front balcony lost in thought, while whispering her name. Angel suited her perfectly, for was indeed his angel on Earth. There she stands, shining brighter than the sun; her long auburn locks blowing with the wind and her blue sundress cascading along the sand. They would hold each other’s bodies close as she softly sang the words of their favorite love song into his ear.

Angel came from a different world. She was a free spirit, and lived life as if it was her last minute. Bradley was a wealthy man and had every luxury most people only dream about, but Angel; she was his diamond in the rough. She grew up in poverty and had to fight, sweat and bleed just to survive. Therefore, money was never a necessity in Angel’s life. Bradley recalls the first day he met her.

He was sitting alone drinking coffee at his usual spot, when her beauty instantly caught his attention. It was as if she was gleaming when she walked through the door, accompanied by the most breath taking smile he had ever seen. She also sat down alone and the two exchanged glances before Bradley finally mustered up the courage to approach her. The two instantly hit it off, and he was taken by how unique she was. Her personality was unlike anyone else he had ever encountered. There he was staring at such a beautiful woman, yet she was humble and down to earth. He had to see her again, and so he did.

Their worlds collided in the most awe-inspiring way imaginable. Bradley has been in the arms of many women before, but none of them was as powerful as the one he is holding now. She brought realism to his world, which was worth more to him than his fortune, and she asked for nothing but his love in return.

Suddenly that memory fades and another one takes its place.

Bradley recalls Angel’s love for the ocean, although he was terrified of the ocean; Angel was intrigued and loved the excitement of it. She begged him to take her sailing. It took some convincing, but finally he agreed to take her.

He remembers how happy she was as the waves carried them magically. It was as if the sea itself could feel the love between them two and wanted it to shine. Even though Bradley feared the ocean, the brightness of her smile melted his heart and ultimately conquered that fear.

Then in an instant, the sea grew dark and the waves began to thrash, as if it was angered; and they were caught in the middle of its wrath. Angel held onto Bradley as the violent sea took control. Then just as fast as it appeared, the sun began to shine and they were at ease. The two breathed a sigh of relief as they shared a smile.

Abruptly, a rogue wave had them in their sights. Angel had just reached out her hand to Bradley, when it capsized the boat. Terror set in as he realized that he was surrounded by his worst fear; the deep blue sea. Nothing was in his sights, and Angel had vanished. Bradley was in a state of panic as he spun and thrashed in the water screaming out Angel’s name. Bradley took a deep breath and swam down deeply looking for any traces of her, but she was nowhere to be found. He screamed and cried for her, until he could no more; finally he accepted that she was gone and vowed not to fight the currents, to let nature take its course.

He had been floating for days, just waiting for the sea to take what little life he had left. Bradley was not fighting the currents, he was not aware of what was around or underneath him, for he simply didn’t care. He was on a journey of his own now, and death was calling his name.

Finally, he got tired of waiting for the sea to take his life and his dry cracked, sunburnt skin had all that it could stand. Out of desperation Bradley cried out Angel’s name one last time, and when he didn’t get a response; he just took a deep breath, and sank into the water below. As he sank, his breath began to weaken and right before he lost consciousness, he heard her voice.

“I’m here Bradley. Listen to my voice and open your eyes.”

His eyes sprung open towards the surface. Something was above him. He was certain it was Angel, and pushed himself towards the surface as fast as his body would allow him to. However, it was not her and as a man and his wife pulled him from the water; Bradley became hysterical screaming.

“Where is Angel? I know she is here, I heard her voice!”

The couple tried to reassure him that everything was going to be alright, but he knew his life would never be the same.

Angel was never found, regardless of the search and rescue efforts Bradley brought forth. Still, death itself cannot erase the memory of her, for he sees her every night; walking along the shoreline beneath the blue moon, singing their love song as her blue sundress sways behind her through the sand.

Bradley never believed in Angels on Earth until his very own walked into his life, and just like the footprints she leaves within the sand. The imprints she has made upon his heart keeps her spirit alive.

THE END