Steve’s shorts: The Lighthouse…
[Note from Steve: Sometimes vacations can bring surprises. Are you going on one this summer?]
Angela looked across the water where the waves crashed against rugged cliffs. A lonely lighthouse stood atop the cliffs guarding the entrance to the small harbor.
“Can I hike to that lighthouse?” she said to the wait person.
The older woman looked to where she was pointing. “Old Angus runs that lighthouse. He’s not one to welcome visitors. Keeps to himself, he does.”
“I’ll respect his privacy. I’m just thinking the view from up there would be spectacular.”
“I suppose. You’ll need a slicker. The spray’s pretty bad over that way. High waves pounding the cliffs most of the time. Anything else I can get for you?”
“No thank you. Everything was just delightful. Just the check.”
The SUV she had rented for her vacation in New England didn’t have any problem going up the steep approach road to the lighthouse. She left it parked in a cutout about a hundred yards from the building. Still a steep walk up to the lighthouse, but she didn’t plan to go there. True to her word, she’d respect the lighthouse keeper’s privacy.
She saw the old man and waved, though. No wave back.
She climbed a bit on rocks to get better views of the roiling waves crashing onto the ones below. Nearer the edge of the cliffs, there was more spray. Good thing the old lady in the diner warned me. She zipped up the rain coat. Her sneakers were getting wet, though. They had grooved soles, but she was still careful.
But one rock had both moss and spray remains. In an instant she was falling. She screamed all the way down.
***
The smelling salts woke her. The old man took them away and studied her.
“Leg’s broken, missy. Lower left. Have some tea now to get warm. I’ll carry you to your car when you’ve recovered.” He left the room.
The bed she was lying on had squeaky springs and a thin mattress and nothing else. An unused guest room? I must be in the lighthouse.
She could hear the pounding surf., so the room must be on the first floor facing the ocean side. There was no window to confirm that. How did I get here? I should be dead!
She couldn’t remember anything between hitting the water and awaking in the lighthouse’s room.
Angus returned. “Made some scones just this morning.” He put a plate on the nightstand next to the tea. “Sorry I can’t offer you a meal. I’ve only got some old leftovers.”
“Thanks Angus.” She took a bite and then sipped some tea. “How did I get here?”
He shrugged. “You fell; I saved you. Those rocks are treacherous.” He glanced at the door. “I’ll be back in a moment. I was cleaning the lens when I saw you fall. Good thing I did. You’d be food for the fish otherwise.” He smiled at her. “I’ll go finish that task now. When I return, maybe you’ll be ready for me to carry you to your car.”
He slipped away again.
***
Angela’s leg didn’t hurt. It was in a homemade splint. Maybe just a sprained ankle? But the splint reached almost to the knee.
She finished the scone and tea and swung over to sit on the edge of the bed. She flexed the leg, expecting a shooting pain. She’d broken her right leg once playing ice hockey. Not the same feeling.
She could even stand, although a bit wobbly. Not broken. Why did he lie to me?
She heard footsteps and sat on the edge of the bed again.
“Good to see you sitting, missy.”
“You can call me Angela. Angela Rico.”
“Okay, Angela Rico. You’ll be able to drive. Your SUV has automatic shift, and the wounded leg is the left one.”
“Anyone would think you were trying to get rid of me.”
He frowned. “I just like my privacy. That’s why I’m a lighthouse caretaker.”
“I see. But you relate well to people and have a good heart. You should get into town more.”
He shrugged. “I travel sometimes.”
When he carried her to the SUV and propped her up behind the steering wheel, she noticed that he was strong but a bit spongy. Soft and strong. My kind of guy. Too bad he’s so old!
“How can I repay you for saving my life, Angus?”
“Happy to do it. And I’m a good swimmer. You’re lucky. Don’t be so adventurous next time. Earth’s oceans can be treacherous and its gravity unforgiving.”
“I will be more careful.” She started the engine. “Say, you said you don’t have groceries. Do you need a ride to town? I didn’t see any car.”
“The lady at the general store brings them out once per week. She’s due today. So don’t worry. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some chores to do.”
She watched him walk back the way they had come. What a strange man!
***
Angela drove a bit down the winding road and stopped at another cutout. Not quite the view, but for a Chicago newspaper reporter who grew up in the Midwest, the nearest thing to an ocean was the lake. She had enjoyed her vacation in Maine. She would be back.
She was staring out to sea when she saw something strange break through the clouds. A shimmering disk, as if one of Zeus’ children was playing with a huge metallic Frisbee and had flung it too far. She watched it head for the lighthouse and disappear.
On a hunch, she drove back to the lighthouse. Did that thing crash land there?
Again she pulled into that same cutout nearest the lighthouse and this time dashed up the steep grade, a bit like Chester in that old series she used to watch with her parents and brother. She had to stop in front of the lighthouse to catch her breath. Bent over, hands on knees, she heard the object before she saw it.
She raised her head. It was hovering at the entrance to the lighthouse. Angus came out with three suitcases, one in each hand and the third tucked under his arm. Suitcases?
A ramp came down from the object. He walked up it and disappeared inside.
She watched the object take off to disappear into the clouds.
She dropped to her knees. Wow! Am I seeing things?
As she wandered slowly back to the SUV, she wondered who she could tell about what she had just seen. She knew her life had been changed forever. They’re out there!
And then she smiled. Best vacation I’ve ever had!
***
Comments are always welcome!
Mind Games by A.B. Carolan. Androids with psi powers? What could go wrong? Fourteen-year-old Della Dos Toros must leave her sheltered existence in planet Sanctuary’s Dark Domes to escape those searching for her. Her adopted father told her to hide her psi powers, but she must use all of them to find his murderer. This action-packed sci-fi mystery for young adults is available on Amazon in ebook and print format and on Smashwords and its affiliated retailers (iBooks, B&N, Kobo, etc) in ebook format.
Around the world and to the stars! In libris libertas!
