The Beach Hermit By Marilyn Reid
He had lived by the seashore, where the fresh, shining River Luna refreshed the sea, for over sixty years now, waiting. His old wooden chalet, once his beloved family holiday home, now his permanent home, he had rebuilt, reshaped. Although a little ram shackled, it had improved in character—at least that's what old Jim felt.
Yesterday, he had gotten up as usual to greet the sun as it gloriously rose, sending light kisses to every particle of water—fresh and salty—as well as to every living creature, including Jim. No matter the day, week, or month, Jim knew where to stand exactly around his wooden chalet or on some special spot on the beach to receive his warming kiss of light.
But on his return to the chalet for breakfast yesterday, he had noticed that the hourglass that sat upon the mantelpiece above his wood-burning stove was shining too, lit up by the sun. It had suddenly begun to release the sand from its top glass, sending a few grains at a time to its bottom glass. Because this had never happened before, Jim had been constantly monitoring it hourly, up until this morning, sensing deeply that something was going to happen when all the sand that the hourglass contained had finished passing from top to bottom.
Of course, he had always known this day would come, and it was for this day he had waited all of his life—never wanting, nor willing to leave, until it came, and "she" returned. All his friends he had outlived—and they had said he was wasting his time living in a fantasy land, dreaming about a pledge he had made one day long ago after she'd walked into the sea, to remain here until her return. Sometimes he had doubted himself, but deep inside, Jim knew the truth, and now that the hourglass on the mantel shelf had begun moving, he knew that his story was real and that her return was imminent.
Jim felt both delight and apprehension as he watched the hourglass, recalling the first beautiful time he had ever seen her coming out of the sea on this very beach while on holiday—and how he had fallen instantly in love with her. Then, as the last tiny crystal of sand fell to the bottom of the hourglass, Jim turned, smiled, took a deep breath, and steadfastly walked towards the chalet door.
For a second or two, he paused behind it before firmly opening the door. Stepping out onto the beach, he stopped to take another deep breath, one of joy at the vision of beauty before him. A huge golden sunlit full moon lit up the night sky and the stars above him, forming moon shadows of the chalet and Jim on the sand. The sea sparkled before him, calling Jim, it seemed. Jim's countenance changed, becoming younger as he walked across the sand towards the water. Then another smile brought twinkles to the young Jim's eyes and face as he saw a beautiful young woman emerging from the sea. She stopped at the lacy waves' edge and waited, her naked body and long indigo hair glistening in the moonlight.
Jim began taking off his clothes, dropping them all over the beach, and by the time he stood facing her, he too was naked and shining. At first, they simply stared into each other's happy, loving eyes, and then they laughed and took hands before finally embracing, each one holding the other with all of their might as the laughter turned into joyous tears. They said nothing. They had no need to. After releasing each other, Jim's left hand took her right, and as he turned her to face the horizon, they held their loving gaze while both walked deeper and deeper into the sea, following the moon's silver path until they could be seen no more.
The next sunny day brought a young couple to the beach who were walking a dog. When they reached the chalet and saw Jim's door lying wide open, and his clothes strewn all over the sand as far as the sea, they called the police.
As they waited for the police to arrive, the sad young couple sat closely together in front of Jim's chalet, and tears ran down the girl's cheek as she thought of his probable suicide being the result of his lonely life. The young man put his arms around her and remarked on how lucky they were to have each other and that he could never live the life of a hermit because he could never live without her love, and he kissed her salty tears away.