EMMA

by Leighton Lee

            Emma sat quietly making sandcastles by herself under the watchful gaze of her mother. A small group of children were playing nearby and making lots of noise. Now and then, she would look up at them, but she was happy in her own private little world that consisted only of her and her thoughts.

            Her mother tried to encourage her to join in the fun and games with the other children, but she just continued moulding the sand into different shapes. There was a sandcastle, a starfish, seashells and even a tree. Finally, she stopped and smiled, looking down at her creations with pride.

            “Those are beautiful honey.” Her mother looked down at her with pride that made her swell with happiness.

            “Momma, can I go down to the water?” she whispered in her mother’s ear afraid the other children would hear her.

            “Sure, sweetie, but stay right in front of me.”

            She gently nodded her head and left her masterpieces behind as she ran down to the water’s edge. She washed the sand off her arms and legs before stepping a little further into the surf until it was up to her knees.

            She skimmed her hands over the surface of the water. It felt so smooth to her touch.  She loved the ocean and felt like she was a part of it and that it was a part of her. A wave hit her from behind her and pushed her back toward the shore, making her feel weightless.

            As the waves rolled onto the shore, the little girl ran in and out of the surf giggling. Still absorbed in her world, she didn’t notice when some kids start playing nearby. Every few minutes they would sneak looks at her. Wanting to rest, she laid down in the shallow waters and let herself be moved back and forth with the gentle waves. It calmed her, and she closed her eyes.

            “Emma?” her mother’s voice called to her softly from above. Opening her bright blue eyes, she saw her mom holding out her hand to her. “It’s time to go.”

            “Okay.” She quickly took her mom’s hand, and they walked back up to where their things were, but when they got there, something was different.

            “I’m so sorry, sweetie.” Her mother hugged her gently, but Emma didn’t feel it. All Emma was aware of was the sight before her. The sand sculptures she had worked so hard on were destroyed. “Who would do such a thing?”

            Emma heard laughing coming from behind her. She slowly looked toward the sound and found the group of children she had watched earlier pointing and laughing at her. She didn’t understand. Why did they do it? Tears filled her eyes, and her mother gave her a quick squeeze in sympathy before going to pick up the rest of their things.

            Emma just stood there, staring down at the destroyed sculptures, and bit her bottom lip to keep from crying. Her mother grabbed her hand again and led her to the car.

            “Don’t mind them, honey. Some kids just get jealous,” her mom tried to soothe her, but she didn’t feel any better. She just wanted to go home to cuddle with her teddy bear and make the hurt go away.