Photo Courtesy of E.A. Wicklund
I grew up around salt water – it’s in my blood. Take me too far inland, and I feel landlocked, trapped, ill at ease. The sound of seagulls is the music of the beach. Their raucous squawking means I’m home. We have an annual reunion at my aunt’s place on the bay; some years almost 80 people come together in a clambake to celebrate our shared heritage. The gulls never miss a chance to pounce on a dropped biscuit or corn cob. Scavengers, they patrol their surf, tolerating those of us who happen to trespass for a while.
Word Count: 100
Family Reunion
I’m up at dawn, changing the water on the clams. No one likes any sand in them. The day looks to be a good one – no rain today, just clouds. Wonder how many will come this year. And I wonder how many more years I’ll be around. This is my 90th year; 60th as host. A reunion’s been taking place here at The Point since 1890. This is one tradition we don’t take lightly.
Everything’s set – food’s out, coffee’s on. I hear the sound of tires crunching down the gravel drive. I’m ready as I’ll ever be. Time to welcome everyone home.
Please check out the links to all the other Flash Friday Fictioneers, which can be found here.
© Erin Leary
The Point
Uncle Keith’s boat
The family, circa 1928
erinlearywrites 
Lovely story and great photos Erin.
Dear Erin,
A nice feel to this, Erin. Made me wish I was part of the family.
shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Erin,
I wish i was your neighbor. Your story is delightful. Now go back and put in a ‘be’ somewhere in there.
Aloha,
Doug
Got it – thank you!! 🙂
Lovely vignette, Erin. I want to visit. 🙂
janet
Now I want a biscuit! 😉
Oh very nice. Refreshing as a sea breeze! 😀
I love that this one is non-fiction, or mostly. I assume you are not actually 90. 😉 I share your feelings about growing up near the ocean; I just can’t live away from it. Where is The Point? It is beautiful! I grew up on the south shore of Boston… very similar looking, and clams and lobstah are just part of any get togethah. Wonderful contribution to this week’s challenge.
Can I be a family reunion crasher? I could be your long lost Hillbilly cousin.
Really lovely, Erin. I think it’s so great you carry on this tradition and that it’s done with such care. I love this description, “The sound of seagulls is the music of the beach.” So true. I always look forward to that when I go. Love your story, too.
Very nice, Erin — the intro and the story. “The sound of seagulls is the music of the beach.”
I loved the nostalgia and the friendly thoughts about seagulls in this piece! 🙂