Free Beach Glass by Suzan Colón

attribute the noticing of this detail to Kate, who might be interested in such a thing, while I am in mourning over my failed relationship. In my mind, Kate gently kids me for being a killjoy.
    Carson reaches into the storage shed and brings out a pink board. He stands it up next to me. “Looks about the right size,” he says. “Too girly?”
    I shake my head. “I’m a girly girl.”
    He grins at me. “Okay then, meet your board.”
    I take hold of the surfboard, which is indeed a very girly bubblegum pink. Mitigating its high cuteness factor are two thick black racing stripes that lead up to a big white star at the top. For something I never wanted, I kind of love it. I remember my dad giving names to inanimate objects, like calling his car Marilyn, and I decide to call my surfboard Estrella, Spanish for star.
    Now that we have our boards, Evan tells us it’s time to talk about the proper surfing stance. “So, how do you know whether you’re going to stand on the board with your left or right foot forward?” he asks. “Easy test.” He goes behind Randy and gives him a small shove, forcing Randy to take a step forward. “See how Randy landed on his left foot? That means he’s going to stand on the board with his left foot in the front, right foot in the back. That’s called a ‘natural’ or ‘regular’ stance. As opposed to my buddy Carson here.” He pushes Carson, who lands on his right foot. “That’s known as standing goofy foot,” Evan says, “and it’s no dis, even though Carson can be a little goofy sometimes.” Carson smirks good-naturedly.
    “Okay, everyone grab a partner,” Evan says. “William, can you help me out here?” Brigitte’s husband goes over to Evan. “Stand behind your partner,” Evan instructs, “give him or her a little shove, like this, and see which foot they fall on.”
    The bride and her maid of honor partner up, as do the two bridesmaids. The honeymooning couple jokingly shove each other around then hug and kiss. Brigitte’s busily snapping photos. William would have been my partner, but Evan has demonstrated with him, and now they’re chatting about stance. And I’m standing alone by my board, not knowing whether I’m natural or goofy, and definitely feeling left out.
    Carson notices my predicament and sprints over to me gallantly. “I don’t usually say this to women I’ve just met,” he says, “but would it be all right if I pushed you around?”
    I smile gratefully. “I don’t usually say this to men who are pushing me around, but please, go right ahead.”
    I turn my back to Carson and prepare myself for a shove. But instead of just pushing me, Carson rests his hand between my shoulder blades. Tingles form on my skin, moving from right under his fingertips and spreading out with the rest of his hand. My eyes start to close with the warmth of the feeling. Just then, he gives a gentle but firm shove, and I land on my right foot.
    “Well, I do say this to a lot of women I’ve just met,” Carson tells me. “No offense, but you’re goofy.” I have to laugh. That’s exactly how I feel right now.
    The last part of our lesson is learning how to go from lying on the board to kneeling on it to eventually standing up like a real surfer. Randy demonstrates as Carson explains. Finally, I feel like I have an advantage here! Some of these moves look so much like what I do in yoga. I’ll bet all my upward-facing dogs and balancing poses are going to help me get into position when I’m on the board and actually riding a wave, or at least attempting to. I’m so relieved. Maybe I’m not going to be a total spazz at this.
    Once we see how it’s done, we get on our sand-parked surfboards and practice. “Nice form, Kate,” Carson says as he walks by.
    He likes my form. And he shoved me. I hope the pink of my surfboard hides the blush I feel coming to my cheeks.
    UH OH. DREAMY part of vacation officially over.
    “Here’s what we’re going to do,” Carson