My Short Short for the Day

The gentle breeze drifted over the raft barely rippling the water below it.  The water was warm and clear all the way to the sandy bottom.  The raft lazily floated in the water inching ever so slowly towards the shore.  The sandy shore sparkled in the afternoon sun.  The smell of sun toasted pine needles permeated the air.

The raft slid onto the beach with the water lapping at one side, nudging it further onto the sand.  Lilly jumped off the raft, grabbed the rope and tugged it up the beach until it was completely out of the water.  She looped the rope around the peg in the ground to secure the raft, then raced towards the hut.  She could smell roasted palm and fruit.  Her stomach growled in response and she ran faster.

She burst through the door.  “That smells great, Grammy!”

“I know, dear.  Have a seat.”  Grammy handed Lilly a plate and coconut half.

Lilly sat, wait for Grammy to sit, then dug into the food.  It was delicious!  The palm, tender and slightly salty, the fruit, sweet and slightly smokey.  Her Grammy was the best cook!

After inhaling her food, Lilly sat back in her chair smiling and patting her belly.  Today was the day.  Her Grampy was going to help her build her own hut today.  It would be right next to their hut and probably even be connected eventually but, still, it would be her own hut.  Her own space.

“Ready to get started?”  Grampy strolled into the hut, gave Grammy a quick kiss on the cheek and grabbed a piece of palm.

Lilly jumped up.  “Ready!” 

Grampy was like a mountain, strong and solid.  He knew everything and could do anything.  She couldn’t remember her parents but imagined that her Dad would have been just like Grampy and her Mom would have been just like Grammy.

“Alright, first we need to find some strong palm leaves.  Just like these.”  Grampy held up a huge palm leaf.

“Ok, got it!”  Lilly wouldn’t let her Grampy down.  She’d find the biggest, strongest palm leaves on the island.

They gathered leaves for several hours.  After a snack break, they got to work binding the leaves and building the hut.  As the sun was setting, Grampy and Lilly stepped back. 

“What do you think?”  Grampy asked.

“It’s beautiful!”  Lilly exclaimed beaming with pride and joy.

“Yes, it is.”  Grampy put his hand on her shoulder and admired the new hut.  “Beautiful.”