By the point Christmas arrived on the pier, it felt like it had been there all 12 months, leaning towards the railing having a paper cup of chilly coffee, observing the tide repeat itself without the need of Substantially enthusiasm. The lights had been up—strings of these tangled like old fishing traces—blinking in hues that advised cheer but mostly sent persistence.
The pier smelled like salt, fried dough, and nostalgia that didn’t belong to any one particularly. A plastic Santa swayed Carefully in the wind, his hat completely mid-slide, just as if he’d began laughing after and by no means rather recovered. Someplace down the boards, a radio played carols that sounded fatigued, like they’d been Performing double shifts given that November.
People today arrived in levels. Sweaters more than regrets, scarves wrapped all around 50 %-concluded discussions. Partners walked gradually, negotiating silence. Little ones ran forward, fearless and loud, confident a little something magical had to be at the end of the pier since that’s how stories usually work.
At the significantly edge, the ocean did not treatment. It recognized the vacation with no comment, rolling out and in with the confidence of something that understood January was coming. A fisherman in fingerless gloves claimed he’d been there given that before dawn, while nobody requested. He reported Xmas was an excellent working day for ready. Not a soul argued.
Given that the Solar dipped minimal, the lights turned a lot more convincing. The cold sharpened, the laughter loosened, and for the minute—just a small, breakable minute—it felt like time had paused to extend its legs. Not joy accurately, not disappointment both. Anything between. A thing honest.
When night time last but not least settled, folks drifted absent, carrying leftovers and pics and gentle disappointment like souvenirs. The pier remained, decorated and patient, Completely ready to get it done all again tomorrow.
In fact, it absolutely was an extended holiday break. And xmas, down at the pier, experienced discovered how to linger.
Get more info. here: short story