Zooming In | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Zooming In | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Baldwin
10/22/18
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It was chivalrous, the way he hauled the gear over the sand dunes. Two of the children ran ahead of him, nothing more than a sand bucket in their hands. The older two were trudging along behind him, whining about the hot sand. Steadily up the dunes he marched, pulling a wagon not designed for sand travel. His arms and shoulders burning from toting the cooler, chairs, sun tent, umbrellas, and beach toys for a family of six. When all was set up and staked down, and the older girls were given instructions on what they could and could not do until his return, he radioed the campsite to let me know he was on his way back for me.

I was enjoying my cup of coffee. As much as one can enjoy under perked coffee made from a camping stove percolator. I had it timed just right. If I waited long enough between sips, the coffee grounds would sink to the bottom of the cup and I could slurp off the top without getting bean bits in my teeth.
His message startled me. I grumbled something and tossed the rest of my cup into the grass beside the chair. He knew I didn’t want to come, but once again, there I was, sucking it up and being intentionally miserable for four days for the sake of my family. At least he was trying to make it less horrible. He had purchased me a sun tent so I could stay shaded, and he hauled all the stuff to the beach for me. All I had to tote was my knitting, a few snacks, and my camera bag.

I had to admit, he did look mighty fine as he hiked back over the dune towards the campsite. He had given up the shirt and could tell one of the kids helped him put on some sunscreen. I’d have to fix it or he was going to have polka dotted sunburn before lunchtime. He grabbed the bag of snacks and reminded me to get my shawl and sun hat. I slung my camera bag over my shoulder and took his hand in mine.

I knew he could have muddled over the dunes faster, but he always took a slower pace when he walked with me. My legs were considerably shorter, and when you paired it with a body that would never be one hundred percent again, I just couldn’t keep up anymore. I was cursing the hot sand in my head before we made it over the first dune. I wanted to cry when I realized there were two more to go. Why had I agreed to do this vacation?

The sand became cooler as we cleared the last dune. I kicked off my flip flops and carried them to the sun tent. He had my lounge chair all set up, with the kids toys set off to the side where the wind wouldn’t blow their sand into my path. It was hard to be annoyed when he had tried so hard to think of everything.

I settled in, grabbed my camera and removed the lens cap. On our last date night, he had taken me to Best Buy to get a new zoom lens. I had been waiting for an opportunity to use it, and this trip was perfect. I put the camera to my face and turned the lens, zooming in to see my children jumping in the waves. I didn’t even notice that my I was holding down the shutter button, rapidly taking one shot after another. Their smiles! The sheer unhinged joy was radiating out of all four of our children as they jumped and squealed in the ocean for the first time.

I lowered the camera, leaned over, and kissed him.

“Thanks,” I said, “this was just what I needed.”

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