Three stories

Abstract

three stories Ben Loory (bio) The Ocean Next Door One night, the woman has a dream that the ocean moves in next door. She can see it in there rolling around, as she stares out the window across the hedge. Somehow the ocean's all lit up from below—light's sparkling through the clear blue waves—and the white-capped peaks are moving back and forth. And then the woman wakes up. Oh, the woman says, quietly to herself, as she lies there in the dark. After a while, she looks over at her husband. He's sleeping. Slowly, she sits up. She gets out of bed and pads into the kitchen and pours herself a glass of water. She peers out the window at the house next door. It sold months ago, but no one's moved in yet. Honey? says a voice. The woman turns to see her husband standing in the doorway. He's wrapping his robe about himself. [End Page 488] Is everything okay? he says. Oh yes, says the woman. It's just, I had a dream. I dreamt the ocean moved in next door. The ocean, he says. I wonder what that means. Maybe you should go to the beach. The woman smiles, and her husband smiles too. I'll make you breakfast, she says. He gives her a kiss and heads for the shower. She makes coffee and toast and fries an egg. But really, you know, her husband says—finishing his piece of toast—maybe you really should go to the beach? After all, that's what retirement's about. I know, says the woman. She sips her coffee. Maybe I will, she says. And after a while, she gives a nod. It might be fun, she adds. So after her husband has headed off to work, she goes and digs out her bathing suit. She packs it in a bag with a towel and a book, grabs her sunglasses, and gets in the car. The beach isn't very far away at all, though the woman hasn't been there in years. She parks the car and walks down to the sand and finds a good spot to lie out. She puts on her sunscreen and sits there a while, just staring out at the waves. Well, she finally says, what are you waiting for? She stands up and wades on out. [End Page 489] She swims a little bit, back and forth. The water's cool and the air is warm. Overhead, a few clouds and seagulls move by. Then something brushes against her calf. Ugh, says the woman. She moves her leg. Probably just some seaweed, she thinks. She peers into the water, but can't see a thing. After a while, she turns and heads in. She dries herself off and lies back down on the towel. She squirms a little bit. She feels a chill. What am I doing here, anyway? she says. She feels silly. She decides to go home. The woman drives home with a headful of heavy thoughts. What is she going to do with her life? What's it all for? What's it all about? When she gets home, there's a moving truck parked outside. The door of the house next door is open, and movers are carrying boxes in. The woman watches, then opens the door and walks up the path toward her home. When she's almost to the door, she sees a man and a boy on the neighboring path beside her. The boy's holding a bag and the man's carrying a lamp. Hello there, the man says. Hello, says the woman. Are you our new neighbors? I guess we are, the man says. My name's Steve and this here is Johnny. The woman goes over and shakes their hands. [End Page 490] Is it just the two of you? she says, looking around. Yes, I'm afraid so, the man says. I'm sorry, says the woman. I didn't mean anything. I know, it's all right, the man says. The woman invites the two of them for dinner. I know moving...