A Family Reunion (story)

Shawn skipped stones from the Atlantic Ocean shore. Waiting patiently for his cousins was difficult, when you’re almost nine.

"Were they coming or not?" It was his idea, this hike. Usually people didn't listen to his suggestions. Today they did.

Sandy hair flopped loosely over his ears. He flung another flat stone. This one made three skips. His new running shoes kicked at the sand. Splashing waves were loud on Northumberland Strait.

"Hurry up," Shawn muttered. "Finally," he grinned.

Led by Uncle Larry, the group was coming from the campground. As usual Troy was running ahead. He always wanted to be first. Shawn's older brother Pete came too, along with two cousins, Joan and William. Pete was going to Dalhousie University in Halifax next month.

"All right everybody," Uncle Larry said. "Let's take our time and look around. Maybe we can discover a little history by the seashore."

The Trenholm family reunion was held again at Cape Spear near Port Elgin, New Brunswick. Relatives had come mostly from Nova Scotia, PEI, and Ontario. This hike was a chance for cousins to have a little fun. Besides, they needed to escape from family hugs and kisses.

Overhead, the sky was painted a dull blue. And the wind huffed noisily across the pebbly beach. This kept the group in a huddle, conversations all going at once.

"Uncle Larry, would you carry my sandals?" Joan asked. She was seven years old.

Shawn didn't like the way she tried to take over. It was his turn to get a little extra attention. And he disliked her competition. At school no one ever noticed him. But here, well...it was his turn.

"The magic word?" Uncle Larry asked.

"Please," she said, eyes rolling.

"Alright Joan. I'll carry them for you."

Shawn squinted as the sun shone on his tanned features. He puckered his brow in concentration.

The shoreline received a thorough going over from the children. Nothing was missed.

Shawn’s eager rush brought him to something broken. There was a piece of rope attached. "What is this?" he asked.

"It's a Bobber,” William answered. “Once it was used with a lobster trap. It floats and marks the spot. So fisherman can recover it later."

"He's really smart," thought Shawn. He knew William lived most of his life on the Cape Spear Shore. And he should know about these things.

"Look at that!" Feet chased after Shawn as he pointed to a bright green rock imbedded in the sand.

"That's just a piece of rock. No good for nothin'," bellowed Troy.

"Come on Troy," Uncle Larry said patiently. "Take a good look at what Shawn found. You might learn something."

They carefully examined the narrow green object. Its edges were smooth as if someone filed them down. It was a piece of glass! Shawn felt special as everyone looked at his discovered treasure. This was his moment of glory. And he loved it.

"Sharp edges were worn down by friction," Uncle Larry said. "Think of the many years of tumbling back and forth in the waves."

It was hot and Shawn had a great suggestion. "Lets go in for a dip." The idea made a lot of sense. The day had turned very warm with white sand underfoot.

“YAHHH!” And everyone charged into the ocean. Joan and Shawn were first. Shorts and jeans quickly got soaked.

"YIPES! It's cold!" several suddenly decided. Maybe this swim wasn't such a good idea. "Last one out gets eaten up by lobsters!" And the whole band rushed back to shore. Uncle Larry couldn’t coax them back into the water.

“No way. "Too cold," they said as they dried themselves off with warm towels.

“How about a story?” Shawn asked.

“Alright,” Uncle Larry said. And he began...

"One day a brother and sister were on a beach. The same as this one," he said. “Except it was dark and they were lost. Then they found a deserted fisherman's house. And a loud “Rapping” sound led them upstairs to one of the rooms. In one drawer, they found…WRAPPING PAPER!!”

Uncle Larry suddenly screamed. Everyone gasped and fell off the log.

"That's a silly ending," Troy said.

But Shawn had fun listening, in a circle with everyone. They were having a great time by the Atlantic Ocean. This was more fun than watching a video movie. Or eating a huge bag of salted chips. By now the tide had moved out. It was neat stamping bare feet in shallow pools of water left behind.

“Let me show you something,” Uncle Larry, said. He looked under a clump of seaweed and brought out a handful of 'Crill' or tiny shrimp. "Whales eat these in huge gulps," he said. The 'Crill' looked like tiny pink spiders.

Large clams called 'Bar Clams' dotted the beach. Smaller 'Sea Clams' were scattered about the shoreline. Many of them had been forced open by searching sea gulls.

"More treasures from Nature," Shawn said proudly. He leaned forward and picked up some souvenir shells.

Dark Mussels, another type of clam were in bunches. They hid among water-drenched foliage. No matter where they searched, something special made itself known. Shawn's eyes were large with each new discovery.

It was time for the group to return to the family campsite. Parents were calling, "Troy! Pete! Shawn! Joan!" Each hurried off with answering cries. "Here! Coming!" they said. Uncle Larry and William stood for a few moments. They were lost in thought watching children rush off to their parents.

Shawn turned and yelled, "Thanks guys!" Then he too was gone. The ocean remained calm as the afternoon came to a close.

"Race you back!" Both adults hollered like children as they chased after Shawn.

- The End -

© Richard & Esther Provencher