Page 23 of Blind Trust
He drove them to the parking area that they would have to walk from, and then he got out, came around to open her door, and helped her down again.
He threaded his hand through hers and began to walk slowly with her, toward the beach.
Once they reach the entrance, he picked a place for them to leave their shoes. They took off their shoes and left them.
He would hold her hand and he would help her if she had trouble on the sand or in the water.
They walked toward the water’s edge, where the sand was wet and cooler. Now that the sun was down, the sand and the water would cool more and more, releasing the warmth the sun had put there all day.
She stopped and wiggled her toes into the wet sand, and then giggled. When she repeated the movements, her giggle became bigger.
“Does it tickle?” he asked, his feet getting wet and somewhat chilled.
“Yes, and it’s cold, but I love it,” she said, her voice breathy and full of joy. “I haven’t done this in forever.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” he said and smiled.
“When I lived in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, that’s where the Rosewood Center is, I was newly blind.” She grew serious. “I was afraid of everything. Noises in the house at night, bumping into things or falling down the stairs, going out on the deck, falling down on the dunes. But mostly I was afraid of walking toward the ocean. And of touching it.”
“I can understand that,” he said.
“I felt like the waves would come in and pull me right back out, and I would fall down under the water and never come up again. And because the ocean is so big and powerful and can do that, I wouldn’t walk near it for the longest time.
But then one day, I did, with the help of all my sisters there. Two held my hands, and one held onto me from behind, and I could hear the others. None of them were going to let the ocean take me. So, I went with them and I stood, just like this, and let the water touch my toes and come in and go out again, and I was reborn, like a child who had just learned to love a new thing. They gave the ocean and the beach back to me, those sisters. And I will love them forever for it.”
He had tears in his eyes, hearing her story, and he squeezed her hand but didn’t speak.
“It’s good that you’re holding my hand,” she said. “But I think you can let go this time.”
“Okay,” he said, and he let go.
She stretched out her fingers, and then pulled them back in and took one step forward. The water rolled in and rolled out. Then did it again.
He watched her face for any sign of fear, but what he saw instead was courage, and a large smile starting to spread across her face. He didn’t need her to tell him that she was conquering more of her fears.
And he was so very proud of her.
After a few more moments she turned to him and held out her hand. “Let’s walk.”
He took her hand and pulled her close. With his other hand, he brushed the hair from her face then cupped her cheek.
Her smile deepened.
He ran his thumb across her lips, brushing them. A light stroke.
Her lips parted.
He leaned in, sure of the moment, and brushed her lips with his. Not yet a kiss, but a light brushing, tentative yet sure.
Cecelia reveledin all the sensations she felt. The sand beneath her, the water around her feet. The ocean breezes. The touch of his hand, holding hers.
Then he stopped on the sand and pulled her close to kiss her. First, his thumb brushing her lips and making them tingle, bringing all her senses more alive. Then his lips brushing hers, ever so gently.
His breath carried whispers of the warm minty scent of the breath mint he’d had earlier, after they’d eaten.
She wanted to taste him. Her lips opened, just enough to invite him in.
His lips brushing hers, increased pressure, and the tip of his tongue touched her lips, tickling, teasing, and then easing inside to touch the tip of her tongue.
