I Love the Seagulls

I was walking by the bay and there she was:   slender, pretty, and not a day past 35. She was sitting with her sketch book, drawing multiple poses of the seagulls as they splashed and stretched near the shore.

“I love the seagulls,” I said softly as I walked by, hoping for a response.

"Oh, yes, the seagulls are positively enchanting!"' she replied, jumping up and extending her hand.

"Enchanting,” I repeated warmly. “Yes, they are.”

She held my hand and squeezed it.

“I’m so happy to meet you,” she said.

"And I, you!"

Still got it, I thought!  

“May I see your drawings of the seagulls?” I asked.

“Oh, sorry, I don’t have any drawings of my grandparents, just of these ocean birds.”

“Your grandparents?”

"Yes, Herbert and Elsie Siegel. I’m Jane, I’m visiting this week.

“Jane?”

“You must be one of Grampy's oldest and dearest friends!  I’ll tell him I saw you schlepping down the beach."

Know what?

I hate the fucking seagulls. 

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The Seagulls

It was just one of those days.  I was walking by the bay and there she was:   young, pretty, and absorbed in her sketch book, rendering the seagulls as they splashed and stretched near the shore.

"The seagulls are graceful whatever they do," I said, hoping for a response.

"Oh, yes," she replied, "they're positively enchanting!"'

"Enchanting,” I repeated, quite encouraged.

“I love them so much, and I’m so happy to meet you!”

Still got it, I thought!  

 "How long have you loved the seagulls?"

"Why, all my life!  They're my grandparents."

"Your grandparents?!"

"Yes, Herbert and Elsie Siegel. I just assumed you were one of Grampy's oldest and dearest friends."

Know what?  I hate seagulls. 

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Yes, I hate seagulls so much I wrapped up this contribution to the Friday Fictioneers in a very respectable 117 words.  If I had gotten anywhere with Grampy's granddaughter, I'd probably have had me a book.

It's a good thing I didn't talk with her about the beauty of seagulls in flight because she'd probably have thought I was talking about  Herbert and Elsie's frequent trips to their condo in Boca.  Anyway, for more cogent and less depressing takes on the Siegels --- I mean, on the seagulls ---  click here and take wing with the other fictioneers!

Well, I'm off to dinner with the Siegels.  Who knows?  Maybe Elsie has a younger sister.