Free Charming: A Modern Day Sexy Cinderella Story by Jennifer Miller Page B

quickly. We want you to remain safe.”
    “Thank you, we’ll be careful,” we promise, smiling and nodding as we move past him eager to continue our walk. As we make our way along the shore, the party sounds decrease, now merely reaching our ears in intermittent waves. The further we move away, the less it competes with the natural environment, until all that remains is the sound of the ocean. How is it that this sound – the captivating, intoxicating, rhythmically lapping waves and crash of the surf as the tide plays tag with the shore - can soothe one’s soul so completely? It’s both ever changing and constant. Never-ending. Tranquil. I feel myself relaxing and…settling. A peace washes over me I haven’t felt in years.
    After walking several more feet, I come to a stop again and gaze out at the water, continuing to feel moved by its magnanimous and majestic presence. I let it speak to my soul, I let it metaphorically wash away the stain felt on my heart related to Jeremy. Life changes, presents challenges, can be amazing or painful, but there’s something comforting in the fact that the ocean always remains the same. It’s always here. It’s deep and ever lasting and I find that it grounds me. It’s peace and comfort when life feels anything but.
    “Beautiful isn’t it?” Katie asks startling me from my thoughts.
    “It really is. I know it sounds weird, but something about it makes me feel… makes me feel…”
    “I know,” Katie says. And I know that she does.
    Standing side by side we remain still and simply breathe. I allow the smell and the view to wash over me, to heal me. Tears come to my eyes and my heart lifts. I feel happy. Moving closer to the water, I lean down into the sand and with my finger write Jeremy’s name. Then I stand back and wait for the waves to come and wash over it, watching as it disappears under the water’s wrath. Leaning down again I write betrayal, then I write sadness, and then the date of our wedding that wasn’t. I watch each and every time as the water takes them all away. With each disappearance it feels as if those memories and moments hold less weight; that the definitions of each are washed from my heart and soul. After the last one I look up and find Katie’s eyes on me. She wipes away a tear and when I smile at her, we laugh in unison, and I feel lighter than I have in days. Sensing my lightness of spirit, she walks to me and embraces me in a loving, meaningful way.
    We make our way back up the beach and to the party and stop at the beachfront showers. We wash the sand using both the tall, huge showerhead and the lower one at calf height. The water is freezing and we each squeal at the temperature. When finished, we quickly head to the pool and grab towels from the cart, eager to dry the water from our legs before putting on our shoes and heading to the party. It too is on the beach, but at least we won’t be encased in wet sand.
    The first thing we do is head to the makeshift bar. We each order a shot and make a toast, “To new beginnings,” I say.
    “Cheers!” Katie says.
    We laugh and signal for another round right away. This time she raises her glass and says, “To the single life. Because this girl is going to remind you how great it is to be single once again.”
    “Here, here,” I laugh and swallow the liquor savoring the burn as it slides down my throat and warms my tummy.
    She grabs my hand after leaving cash on the bar for our drinks and hauls me onto the beach where several people are dancing. We waste no time moving to the middle of the crowd. Putting our arms above our heads, we begin moving and swaying to the music. Several guys come up and grab hold of our hips and dance with us. Katie and I laugh and entertain them for a bit, before moving away or closer to each other. All the while we laugh, smile, and proceed to do one of our favorite games. We spot someone in the crowd that is dancing and mimic their moves. The other person has to