This story is by Eric Harline and was part of our 2021 Spring Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.
The wind blew shafts of light over his face and the fronds fussed and waved about, jealous for his attention. Gabe looked up at them, hand holding his drink near his mouth, paused mid sip. He held the beer bottle lightly while the liquor inside swished impatiently for his lips. He sipped while he watched the palm fronds blow in the wind. Herds of clouds in the blue sky rolled with the foamy waves in the blue sea to the islands leeward side, west. They rolled toward Gabe, reaching for him, never quite touching him. He smiled thinking about it.
Gabe sat in the shade of the tree that stopped where sand meets grass. Jared sat next to him, taking a sip from his own drink.
“I can’t believe that flooding this week,” Gabe said.
“Yeah, I know,” Jared replied. “It hasn’t come that bad in a while.”
“I think there were, like,” Gabe squinted, thinking about it, “4 blocks of homes flooded.”
“Yeah,” Jared said. “We’re lucky we weren’t hit too hard.”
“Yeah, man.” Gabe took another swig. He heard the waves between their words.
“You think you’ll be pretty busy,” asked Jared, “with all the water damage?”
Gabe huffed. “Don’t remind me.” Jared laughed and Gabe looked out into the water. His kids were playing in the waves with Jared’s. “I think we’ll get started probably Wednesday, but then it’ll all come at once and I’m gonna be needed on one side of town, but then I’ll have to help auntie on the other side of town and she definitely won’t be paying.” He shook his head and downed the rest of his beer.
“Aw, man,” Jared said. He sounded sympathetic. “That’s rough. But at least you’ll be working.”
“That’s true,” Gabe nodded. “I don’t think it’ll last more than a few weeks.”
“You don’t think so?” Jared looked at him with a creased brow.
“No way, not with everything pricey like it is.” He paused. Then stood up to grab another beer.
“Hey, dad!” Gabe turned to his son running toward him.
“What’s up, David?” Gabe walked to meet him.
“You think we could go and shoot hoops after this?” Gabe looked at him for a moment. His shoulders sunk a little.
“Yeah, sure,” Gabe answered. “You don’t have homework to do, do you?”
“I’m pretty much done,” said David as he shook out his hair, “but I was gonna finish it tomorrow.”
“Man, you need a haircut,” Gabe said, putting his hand on the boy’s head. “Yeah, we can go after we clean up and take off.”
“Sweet,” said David, pushing Gabe’s hand off. “Are there hot dogs left?”
Gabe walked back to the cooler and grabbed a beer. “Should still be some in the tin.” David walked past him to the table with all the tins. Hot dogs, burgers, buns, chips, condiments; spread out on two tables and nearly picked clean. Gabe walked back to his chair and fell into it with a grunt.
“Woah there, dad,” David said from the table, putting mustard on his hot dog. “Might bust a knee if you don’t be careful.”
“Might bust your head if you don’t be careful,” Gabe said, smiling. David laughed and started back to the water, eating the hot dog.
“You feeling alright, old man?” Jared said. He had a big smile that made his eyes squint.
Gabe smiled, but his eyes weren’t in it. “Yeah, man. Just tired.” He inhaled, “It’s gonna be a long few weeks, but then everything is gonna dry up. Thinking about it just stresses me out.”
Jared nodded, “Yeah, I get that.” The waves crashed between their words, trying to get their attention. They both looked toward the ocean, watching Gabe’s other son throw Jared’s daughter into the water. “You’ve got some good sons, though,” Jared said, looking over at him.
“Yeah, but trying to feed five kids and save for their college?” Gabe returned the look, “I’m telling you, that isn’t easy.” He looked back at the kids. “Don’t get me wrong, I love them. But damn, what I wouldn’t do for more work.”
“Yeah,” Jared nodded. “I’m lucky to have my work.”
“I never thought I’d be jealous of a desk job,” said Gabe. After a moment, he laughed and rubbed the heels of his hands against his eyes. “What I wouldn’t do to work at a desk.” He slouched in his chair and stretched his legs. “I don’t think I can make this contracting gig work anymore, Jared.”
There was a pause before Jared responded. “Why not?”
“It’s just tough man,” said Gabe. He leaned his head back. “Running a one-man show isn’t easy, especially with David getting ready to head to college.”
“Yeah,” Jared said.
“And I’m not getting any younger. More work just means more physical stuff, and my body’s hating me for it. I’m gonna need new knees soon, how am I gonna pay for those?”
“Hm,” Jared eyes had glazed over.
“I just don’t think I can keep up anymore.” There was a pause. The crashing waves called out for them.
“How’s Jayna holding up?” Jared asked, almost hesitant.
“She’s doing good,” Gabe said, eyes focused on the water. “She’s great, actually.”
“That’s good to hear,” Jared nodded. “Is she staying busy?”
Gabe didn’t respond. Jared looked over at him. After a while Gabe sighed and looked down. His fingers brushed down his shirt. “She’s sick.”
“Oh no,” Jared shifted in his chair, leaning forward. “I’m so sorry, man.” There was another pause. Jared continued looking, concern filling his brows.
“Yeah,” Gabe spoke after a while. “Thank you.” He shifted this time, sitting a bit straighter, still looking down. “We found out on Thursday.”
“Is it bad?” Jared asked. His voice was cautious. Gabe looked up at him, he could feel his concern. They had been friends a long time. He had felt the concern before.
“Yeah,” Gabe said, “cancer. Doctor said it looked pretty bad.”
“Oh my god,” Jared said. “I’m so sorry, Gabe” The waves called out for them again, louder it seemed. They heard the voices of their children shouting. Nonsensical, but full of excitement. Jared spoke again, “What can we do?”
Gabe let out another sigh before answering. “Nothing right now.” He rubbed his hands together. “We’re just thinking about it right now. Trying to process it, you know? We see the doctor again this week to discuss some options.”
Gabe looked at Jared, saw Jared staring at him, face focused on him. He felt the concern of his friend again. He had felt the concern many times. Sometimes if felt fake to Gabe.
“Honestly, Jared,” Gabe said, “I don’t know what to do.” His eyes widened as he looked toward the water. “I don’t wanna go back to that, man. I don’t think I can.” He leaned forward on his knees, hands over his face. After a moment, he looked up toward the water again. “How am I supposed to deal with all of this?” The waves waved at him, bathing his children, begging him to stay there and be with them.
“I don’t know what to tell you, Gabe.” Jared finally spoke. Gabe turned his head. Jared was looking at the kids now. “I haven’t ever been there before.” He paused. His words were slow. His mouth moved, trying to find more words. “You’ve worked hard your whole life. Jayna loves you. You have this beautiful family together. You built your business from basically nothing. You do so much to help this community. And you never really ask for anything in return.” He shook his head, “I can’t believe some of the things God puts in front of you.” The wind blew on the trees. Jared looked up at them, that same concern still on his face.
He shook his head again, “I don’t know how you handle any of this stuff, I think I would’ve quit a long time ago. And now you gotta deal with this.” He paused again, looked back at Gabe. “You’ve always been like an older brother to me, helping me through everything.” He reached out and put his hand on Gabe’s shoulder. “We’re here when you need us. Me and Betty.”
Gabe looked at him. His mouth was hanging open slightly. He squinted and leaned back in his chair. He heard his daughter, Si’i, shout for him.
“Daddy!” He looked out at her standing on the sand. “Come play with us!” His mouth still hung open. He sat there, looking at his 8-year-old daughter. “Hurry!” she stamped on the sand.
Gabe looked back at Jared. “Thank you,” he said, “I don’t think I say that enough, Jared.” He shook his head, and a smile started to make creases across his face. Jared smiled back. His daughter shouted for him again. The waves and trees and wind shouted with her. He stood up and ran out to his children.
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