by Cheryl Abney

Created on: April 19, 2009   Last Updated: April 20, 2009

LOVETHE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE

Catherine caresses the faded red cardboard box securely against her chest with frail, vein-webbed hands. The salt air teases her wispy white hair. The shifting, hot Florida sand filters through the ties of her canvas shoes with each purposeful step.

"I'm okay Jena, I can make it from here," she says, gently prying her friend's supportive fingers from her thin arm. "I need to do this-just me and him."

"I'll wait for you at your table," Jena replies. No answer other than a slight nod is given as acknowledgement. Jena withdraws to stand silent observer of Catherine's slow, determined trek to the water's edge.

Catherine hears only the wind and sea whispering their dirge to her. Beckoning. The water and boats that punctuated her life with pleasant days, now serve only to accent her loneliness. Placing one calculated step after another, the treasure bearer continues her irregular path to the shore. She contemplates Jena's last words; "I'll wait for you at your table." Catherine remembers when it was their table, his and her's, with its view of the intercoastal, the moored boats and small islands. She recalls the first time she had sat at his table and the ensuing anniversary ritual of dining and dancing at the Summit, renamed the Blue Parrott, then the Wayside Caf, until she had lost count. Although it still retains the open-air appeal, and its familiar long pier invites couples for an evening walk, it's now a popular sports bar called The Homestretch. Observing the changes she thinks, "Time has taken its toll here, too. Ah, but I still feel my pulse quicken when I think of that first meeting."

The first time she had visited the restaurant, she had been running from a bad relationship, from a user, tight with money and kindnesses, to find solace and distance at Jena's home on the coast. Arriving in Sebastian that evening, her single-parent friend eagerly disclosed her plan to banish blues with fun and freedom.

"Beth's going to watch her sister so we two can go to the Summit tonight. Now don't look questionable," Jena chided, "it'll be good for you! I don't get out much and I had to bribe Beth to watch her younger sister, so you better play along!"

"I think it sounds great! Beats sitting here having a pity party for two," Catherine replied over her shoulder as she carried her suitcase to the spare bedroom. Deciding what to wear, she settled on the long, slim, jean skirt paired with a lace collared, chambray blue blouse.

Brushing her long, wavy

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