In Gifts by the Shore (Part 1), I introduced you to my main character, Marianna Greggor, a 39-year-old divorced mom of a college-aged daughter. Her older sister Ellen owns a bungalow in Sarasota, Florida, which Marianna is staying at for the summer. In Part 2, Marianna meets Gil Canton, a local businessman and artist, but they don’t exchange names…yet! More of their relationship is still to come but, as I’ve mentioned before, one of my inspirations for this story came from the very different sisters in Sense and Sensibility. In Part 3, we went north to Connecticut, where Ellen and her husband live, and found out that Ellen was experiencing some physical symptoms that she couldn’t explain. And now we’re back to Florida for Part 4… This is not an S&S retelling, but it is a tale about siblings, mothers and daughters, good friends, and getting a second chance at love.
As always, I look forward to your thoughts and comments — about the story and/or your own related experiences! — so please don’t hesitate to share. Hope you’ll enjoy this next segment of Gifts by the Shore, as well as the ALL ABOUT US release info below!! Many thanks for reading. 😀
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GIFTS BY THE SHORE
PART FOUR (Read PART 1 HERE ** PART 2 HERE ** PART 3 HERE)
Turned out Marianna was half right in her prediction about running into beach people. While she didn’t see that guy who looked like The King again, she’d crossed paths with Vivian every day like clockwork, and that day was no exception. As usual, the older woman was dressed from head to toe in white, which made her easy to spot.
Marianna waved to her, and the two chatted for a few minutes about Vivian’s exercise routine (“Been speed walkin’ on the sand for a half hour already,” she told Marianna with pride) and the unrelenting summer heat and humidity.
As they were talking, Marianna tried to keep pace with Vivian, who wasn’t kidding about the speed walking thing. However, when the older woman saw a pelican alight on the beach, she stopped abruptly and Marianna immediately halted, too, managing, of course, to step hard on another shell.
“Ow!” she said.
“Girlie, if you’re not gonna watch where you walk, you need to get yourself some water shoes.” Vivian took the tone of scolding camp director Miss Garwood, but it didn’t suit her. She was way too Earth Mother to pull it off.
Marianna laughed, despite the pain in the soft arch of her bare foot, and said, “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
The older woman scowled at her.
She rubbed her foot then scooped up the new shell and handed it to Vivian. “Here. Take a look at this one. I know you’ll be able to identify it, and I have no idea.”
Lace Murex
“Lace murex,” Vivian said as instinctively as if Marianna were asked to differentiate between dark, milk or white chocolate. The other lady bounced the shell in her palm then ran her thumb along the perfect architecture of the shell’s dome. It was spiked on the side in a way that reminded her of the head of a triceratops. “You wanna add it to your collection?” she asked.
Marianna shook her head and watched as Vivian shrugged and pitched it deep into the Gulf. The woman had a good arm.
“I’m trying to leave most of what I find here on the beach,” Marianna told her, “but I really love that lightning whelk, and I’m sure I’ll want to keep a special shell every now and then.” Maybe one for every week she was here. The very best shells of the summer.
Vivian nodded approvingly, all trace of the scolding camp director having already dissipated. She walked along the shore with crane-like steps, careful and angular, yet—similar to the bird—was still very much at one with Nature. She and Mr. Niihau both seemed to be descendents of the beach life. It was as if their human bodies had been formed, like Adam and Eve, from sand, mud and water…built on the shore as a sand sculpture and, then, touched by the divine.
“So, you’re stayin’ the summer?” the older woman asked, tilting her big sunhat to block out the most direct rays.
“Yes. Until mid-August, anyway.”
“What d’ya do up North before you came here?” She studied Marianna silently for a second and drew a surprising conclusion. “Salesgirl?”
“No. Secretary.”
Vivian squinted at her. “Really? Typing and filing stuff? Did’ya answer phones, too?”
“Lots of typing. Lots of filing. Not so many calls. I was with a jam-and-jelly company for sixteen years, but the man that hired me—my real boss, Mr. Garvey—was let go around Christmas. The new management—” The evil fiends! “They, uh, started bringing in their own people after that, and the few of us who remained were seen as expendable. So, I, um, lost my job last month.”
Marianna tried to gulp down the bitterness that rose at those words. Sixteen years of her life spent working at the Cherries Jubilee offices, and only two weeks’ severance pay and ten minutes’ notice that she was being laid off this past spring. She remembered that horrible early May day. Cleaning out her desk with the new secretary posted at her door, arms crossed, assigned to “watch her” so she didn’t steal or destroy anything as she packed up.
“Huh,” Vivian said. “I’m real sorry to hear that, girlie.” She cocked her head and scrutinized Marianna again. “But you don’t look like someone who’d be happy just typin’ and not talkin’ much. You’re too…interested in people.”
Lightning Whelk
Marianna didn’t know how to respond to this. “I—I did get to talk to people,” she explained, “just not constantly. It was more of a break-time thing.” And, although she didn’t say this aloud, she had to admit to herself that those were by far her favorite times. The interacting with others. The laughter and even the tasteless jokes. The funny expressions her coworkers would make while small-talking. It gave her a sense of family while at work.
“Huh,” Vivian said again. “Well, what’cha gonna do now?”
“Look for another secretarial position in Michigan when I get back,” Marianna explained, hearing the conviction in her voice and the steely determination. Knowing she’d forced it there. “I’m sure some company or firm will want me somewhere in the Ann Arbor area,” she stated optimistically. And, though she didn’t verbalize this, she also added to herself: I’m reliable, personable, a really fast typist. I have a solid associate’s degree and an unblemished work record. Just because I didn’t find a job right away in those first six weeks of looking doesn’t mean I won’t when I start searching again in September. Her well-rehearsed internal monologue, bordering on becoming a mantra.
Vivian smiled kindly. “Well, then, it won’t kill ya to get yourself some decent Beachwalkers while you’re here, so you can relax good and proper without getting yourself cut and scraped. Don’t want you settlin’ down to your new job with bandages on your feet. Right, girlie?”
In spite of herself, Marianna had to laugh. “Fine, Vivian. You win. I’ll go shopping for some water shoes tomorrow.” And because she was certain she’d see Vivian soon and would face a stern lecture from the Earth Mother if she didn’t follow through, this was a promise Marianna knew she’d need to keep.
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(End of Part 4) Are you getting a better sense of Marianna’s life before her visit to Sarasota? What do you think of Vivian’s advice to her? I have a collection of seashells from different beaches I’ve visited… Do any of you collect them, too? Have a favorite?
Look for Part 5 – coming November 24th. 🙂
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Marianna’s job sounds less than stimulating, but it’s steady and predictable and comfortable. I can totally relate to that. As much as I hate my job at times, I would be really pissed if they just let me go like that. Vivian seems to not want to make a big deal out of Marianna’s unemployment, which would only make her more anxious and ruin her vacation. Vivian seems more like a “let it be and see what happens” kind of lady. Let go and Let God, as my grandma says.
I have the Abbott Springs anthology on my kindle, I just haven’t read it yet. Seems the perfect time, with the holidays fast approaching like a speed walking Vivian!
HA! Love that image of the holidays like a “speed walking Vivian,” Monica!!
Thank you for getting the antho and, as always, for reading and sharing your thoughts. I’ve had a few jobs that were like Marianna’s, too… And I’ve heard and I love your grandma’s saying. That fits Vivian very well 🙂 .
I can’t believe it’s already November! It does feel like the holiday will be here any second. (Commence panicking!) xox
What a beautiful excerpt. I love shelling. Walking on the beach at sunrise watching the seastars dance in the shallow water is amazing. As for shelling, I think my favorite spot is Waikiki Beach in Salem, Mass…..I love collecting sea glass. It is beautiful. I like Vivian’s advice….no sense in worrying now…relax….things may fall into place a little later. A coteacher once told me, “Take one day at a time.”. I try.
I had a very similar experience to Marianna. I taught 4 year olds and gave ponybrides at camp in summer for 23 years. A few days after we all were told no one was being let go I was told I was laid off. It was the day before our 3 week road trip to California’s Death Valley and the Grand Canyon. I was told this was so I could cancel our vacation. I told no one until after we got back. Didn’t want to stress anyone else. It ended up being a great trip. I do so HATE being lied to. Did get a job as soon as we got back, but didn’t like it. But, nothing like the job I lost….we were like family.
I love this. Will we get to read more soon?
Author
Oh, Deborah, thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed the excerpt and that you could relate to Marianna’s experiences, Vivian’s advice, and the beauty of shelling… (I love it. 😉 )
So sorry to hear about your awful experience with that job, though, and that the person who’d let you go treated you that way. It’s unconscionable, but I do strongly believe that there’s karma in the world…and I’m glad you were still able to enjoy your trip and get beyond the frustrations of the situation you’d left behind.
And YES!! There will be more of the story soon! I’m set to post the 5th installment on Nov. 24th. Can’t wait to share it with you all! xo
“Let Go and Let GOD” – I have used that statement myself.
As for seashells, I used to have a lot from vacations to the Caribbean but, in now downsizing so my children won’t have too, decided to get rid of those. Then, as none of my children wanted them, I put them on the railroad ties used to fence in the condo playground one night (so that no one would see me doing it as I wanted it to be a mystery for the children who came to play and found them). They were gone very quickly and I like to think that the children had some delight in finding those treasures.
Loving this story. Have not had that exact experience with a job but have had an experience in which I applied for a position, everyone told me that I was perfect for the job, but it went to someone much younger (and with much less time and/or experience). I voluntarily took a job with another department soon after that. It was just too much of an embarrassment to stay and have anyone pity me, etc.
Thank you for this story. Like that we are dealing with women who have had a few knocks in life and being able to relate somewhat.
Sheila,
What a kind and beautiful thing you did for those children!! I love that idea… If my son doesn’t want my seashells, I’d love to replicate your gesture. Very, very sweet and thoughtful, and I know those lucky children who found your shells would have felt they’d discovered a treasure! 🙂
Thank you so much for all the lovely things you said about my story. I’m glad it’s one you can relate to…and it means a lot to me that you’re enjoying it. If you like women’s fiction stories, you might enjoy the work of Elizabeth Berg. Her novel OPEN HOUSE was an Oprah Book Club pick and it’s about a woman who’s starting over. (Here’s the Amazon page for a further description: http://www.amazon.com/Open-House-Novel-Oprahs-Book/dp/0345435168) xo
I’m checking with my sister-in-law, as she buys a lot of Oprah’s books. I am lending her How to Marry an English Lord, from which Downton Abbey took much of its premise. It is a good book based on fact: that American heiresses bought a title by marrying impoverished English peers. Winston Churchill’s mom was
American – you may already know, but there were many others. Lots of photos in that book.
No, I didn’t know about it! I’m so glad you mentioned it, Sheila… I’ll look this one up — it sounds fascinating! Thank you 🙂 .
Another great chapter Marilyn! I started my career as a secretary and loved it. The title changed over the years to Administrative Assistant and then Executive Assistant. Use to love shorthand and typing. Lost the shorthand as it was never utilized. The odd symbol I can remember. I fortunately never was laid off. I was the one who moved on. It was difficult to leave people I had worked with for years but to be abruptly let go must be devastating. Not to minimize the loss, I have always been a firm believer in…one door closes, another opens. Sometimes it does take a while for that door to open or for one to see it open. As for collecting shells, my sister (who has the condo in Florida) got me into Sand Dollars. She has yet to find one down there, but her sister-in-law did! So when I was out in the Magdalen Islands this past September, my husband and I walked a lovely beach where the tide was going out. We found dozens of them! Needless, to say, I collected as many as I could carry (they are so delicate) and will gift her with some of them. I just haven’t decided how I will present them. I’m thinking a shadowbox of some sort. I hope to go visit her there in early spring before she heads back north to her other home, and bring it down as a gift then.
My children and I collected a lot of them while visiting in Hilton Head. We bleached them. Do you know the legend associated with that?
http://legendofthesanddollar.com/
I read the legend! Thanks for sharing it 🙂 .
I never knew about the legend…thanks Sheila!
Yes, Sheila, it was devastating. Doubly so ad it was someone I considered a friend who let me go & hired someone half my agr at half my psy.
{{{Hugs}}} I know that had to be hard…
Hugs back. Excellent writing to bring, what I thought were, finally, buried emotions back to the surface.
XOXOXOX, Deborah! Thank you… <3
Carole, thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed the latest chapter 😉 . xo
I *always* wanted to learn shorthand! It was offered in my high school, but I took typing instead, which I really needed to learn (and, as a writer, that has proven to be one of my most valuable classes EVER, lol). But a friend of mine used to impress me with the shorthand she’d picked up. She could take notes in class SO quickly, and I loved how most of us couldn’t read it. It was like a secret code.
And I definitely agree about the one door opening when another has closed… That’s always been true for me, too.
Sand Dollars — yes!! I’ve found a few on the Siesta Key shore, although not dozens as you have. I know your sister will love the gift!!
Though never let go, I have been squeezed from a job because the old employee of many years, who I had replaced, wanted to return. It was I who did the grand exit, leaving the keys on the table in front of the under-handed yellow-livered spineless ….who would prefer to run me off so he wouldn’t have to pay unemployment. He didn’t have a basis to fire me. That said, he did me a favor, for I had a temporary job the next morning and the state job I was wanting within three weeks.
You have done a very good job of opening Marianna up to the reader so that she has laid open her vulnerabilities, her fears, but also her longings and hopes. Marianna has been under the thumb of oppression for too long. She is going to have to learn to stretch those long cramped wings and expose them to the light before she can learn to fly , both in the area of self confidence and love.
Eagerly awaiting to read even more. Love where you are going.
Karen, no matter who that “underhanded, yellow-livered spineless” guy was (and I *love* your description!), I have no doubt at all that he eventually got what was coming to him 😉 . People like that usually offend so many others — and get used to doing it without immediate repercussions — that they start to think they’re invincible. Someone smarter or more powerful, though, frequently shows them otherwise at some point, LOL. In any case, the most important part is that things soon worked out better for YOU, and I know your new coworkers had to be over the moon to get to work with you. <3
Thanks for your lovely comments about the story, too! Getting ready to post the next part…
Now that I had the chance to read Part 4, I find it is good and liking it more. Marianna was a secretary before her move to Sarasota? I got the impression that she was doing something enjoyable that would suit her personality but with a small income, enough to get by for the day. I’m not good at guessing the background of characters from stories that I read.
Lúthien,
Thanks for taking the time to read the latest part(s) of the story!
Yes, Marianna was a secretary before her trip to Sarasota. She enjoyed the more social aspects of the job but, as you guessed, it was a small income…not quite enough when she needed to support herself, a college-aged daughter, and take care of the mortgage/maintenance of a house.
She knows she needs to make some life changes…but I don’t think she realizes how many of them there will be just yet!
🙂