Johnny's Retirement Dreams

Johnny’s Last Trip

Waves crashed violently across the sand.  

The loudspeaker boomed, “Storm imminent. Take shelter!”

Quiet took hold. The sky darkened.

I shivered.

Johnny promised he’d quit: he was too old to fight the sea’s commands.

He talked fondly of our retirement dreams. How we’d sit and watch the waves rippling across the sand.

“One more time,” he’d said.

How could I have known, his last trip would never see his safe return home to me.

The boat and its crew were never found... all lost at sea!

I reminisce now while I sit watching the waves spreading across the shore... alone.