Excerpt
The sand up by the boardwalk was so hot Olivia had to run fast not to burn her bare feet. The quick jog over the burning hot sand was no easy task but soon she was down by the water's edge where the sand was cool, wet and firmly packed. Grandpa followed at a slower pace laughing heartily when he saw Olivia turn to look for him. He pointed to his feet which were clad in beach shoes, reminding her she should not be barefooted.
"The girl will never learn," he said, shaking his head. She'll say,"Oh Gramps, you know how much I like the feel of the sand between my toes; just like my dad. Apples don't fall far from the tree, you know." She had him there,
"Kids too smart for her own good, because that is what I alwways say." He chuckled out loud, prompting a stange look from a couple leaving the beach.
Olivia wouldn't admit it but she did wish she had worn the beach shoes Mom just bought her.
Soon Grandpa arrived where she had planted herself on the beach. He made himself a seat by molding the damp sand much as you would when building a castle. He scooped and patted the sand until it resembled a backrest,taking full advantage of the downward slope at the water's edge. When it felt good he threw the old striped towel he used for this purpose over the top and sat down feeling the coolness of the sand beneath it.
"Ahhh, this is worth the hike. I'll never understand why people bother to lug a beach chair and sit way up by the boardwalk, where there is less of a breeze. They burn their feet on the way to the water, cool off in the waves and then by the time they walk back to their chair they are hot and dry again. Sure beats the heck out of me."
Olivia laughed,"Me too," she agreed because he was right.