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A Day at the Beach

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Gia sat on her towel at the beach beside her parents, obviously feeling pleased with herself as she watched Dolly give her first try at surfing. Her birthday gift wasn’t the most original one, but it was a gift full of possibilities for the future. Beside her, her dad was already dozing off. The man took so many naps, Gia sometimes wondered if he’d joined the witness protection program only to hide from consciousness. And, of course, no sun lotion. She could already picture him later, looking like an overcooked shrimp.

Tini, on the other hand, looked effortlessly beautiful under her wide sun hat and oversized sunglasses. It was a wonder how someone so elegant could end up with someone as... dad as her father was.

"Okay, look! She’s standing. She took that wave!" Gia announced proudly.

"Yup. That’s great," both parents replied in unison, without much energy, her dad without even opening his eyes, and Tini without lifting her nose from her book.

"She’s really good for a first timer. A natural," Gia added, beaming.

"We know," Sid and Tini echoed again, still monotone.

"I mean, look at her go. She’s so... graceful. Like, if gold could surf."

Sid finally opened his eyes and squinted toward his daughter before glancing at Tini, who was now biting back a grin. She gave him a knowing smile, tapped the side of her nose with one finger, and silently mouthed, "A mother knows."

Sid was about to say something to Gia, but thought better of it. He gave Tini a don’t-start look and went back to his microwave nap.

"Yes. She really does look perfect out there," Gia murmured, more to herself than to them, completely unaware of what had just passed behind her.

"We know!"

Gia frowned, glancing over her shoulder. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," came the synchronized reply, again.

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