The girl rolled the stone between her fingers and thumb. It was smooth against her skin. Dull, opaque white and speckled with spots of grey, the stone was nothing to look at. But the girl had chosen that particular stone as she walked along the beach, clutched it as she sat down heavily on the sand, alone—aside from a couple of dog walkers in the distance.

She pressed the weight of her feelings into the stone as she gazed upon the water, waves rolling in and out with apparent gentleness. There were tears now, emotions like sticky treacle. The sky dissolved from blue into streaks of red and orange.

A gentle breeze lifted the girl's hair as she remained focused on the water. She instinctively matched her breathing to the rhythm of the waves. Breath in. Hold. Release. A bigger breath now, this one tasting like salt.

The girl closed her eyes, dug her fingertips into the sand, the stone tucked between her thumb and index finger. She listened to the waves, smelt the ocean, felt the sand that clung to her feet. A seabird circled overhead.

Both hands were cupping the stone now, rolling the smooth pebble between her palms, as the last moments of sunset lingered in the sky.

She stood clumsily then threw the stone into the air and watched it land with a small plopping sound into the water. It merged with the colours of dusk and dark water. Sinking. Surrendering.

The girl walked away, feeling lighter, having released a little of her sadness onto something bigger. It was enough for now.

It might have been days, weeks or months later, but the little stone eventually washed up on the beach. Cleansed by salt, nestled on the sand. Ready to be picked up again.

 

 

 

© Alison Middleton. From Three Can Keep a Secret published by Night Parrot Press.

 

 

Alison Middleton is a writer of contemporary fiction and other things. Originally from Scotland, she has more than 20 years' experience in journalism and media relations. She is

a committee member for Women in Media WA and a judge for the WA Media Awards.

 

www.nightparrotpress.com