A New World: Untold Stories Read Online Free PDF Page B

throughout the world, the day couldn’t be more perfect.
    With so many sick, it feels like they almost have the town to themselves. The usual number of tourists in the small coastal city is much less than is usual. Spending the first weeks of summer at the beach has become a ritual for them and they almost didn’t get to make it this year. The firm Kyle works for has come under a shortage of personnel due to the vast amount of workers calling in sick and his supervisor asked him to cancel his vacation until they were better staffed. Kyle told him that he wasn’t going to do that and that his boss could fire him if he felt so inclined. Looking at the reflection of his family, and feeling the perfectness of the day, he’s glad he made that choice.
    His smile broadens at his daughter’s mild complaint about having her candy taken away, begging for just one more. It’s her usual plaintive request, “just one more, pleeeease.” Her complaint is short-lived as his wife, Carol, shakes her head.
    “Dad, can we go to the beach now?” his daughter asks.
    Reaching down to ruffle her dark brown hair, he answers. “Sure, hon.”
    “Can we get a kite? Huh, can we?”
    Looking to Carol, his wife shrugs her shoulders as if to say, “Why not.”
    Closer to the beach, nearing the end of the tourist shops and across from their hotel, they enter a shop advertising kites for sale. A short time later, with his daughter prancing with glee, they emerge with a kite added to their already numerous bags.
    “Come on, guys,” his daughter says, skipping ahead of them.
    “Sarah, you stay close to us,” Carol states.
    Even though there are only a few people strolling along the sidewalk, Carol, her motherly instinct at the forefront, is protective about keeping Sarah close to them. The sun is directly overhead, bathing the small town in its bright light, and begins warming the day to the extent the closeness of the ocean and onshore breeze allow.
    “Do you want to go throw the bags in the room before we go?” Kyle asks Carol.
    Sarah, upon hearing, turns with a frown at the proposed delay.
    “No, I think it’s fine. Let’s just go,” Carol replies. “We have an early dinner reservation so let’s enjoy what we can of the day.”
    Nearing the promenade sidewalk edging the beachfront, Kyle can’t imagine a more perfect day. Carol looks as good as the first day they met and stole his heart. Watching Sarah, his pride and joy, skipping as they draw near the beach, he feels contented and wishes this moment could last forever.
    With the hiss of the small waves gently rolling up the shore, they descend a series of steps and feel the soft, warm sand through their flip-flops. Gulls cry from along the beach and the long sidewalk, fighting each other for scraps of food left behind by tourists.
    The long strand of beach, stretching to the limits of vision, is normally filled with travelers and beach-goers. However, on this sunny day, there are only a few out enjoying the day, with a small beach volleyball game going on just past the stairs. Finding a place nearby, Kyle spreads the blanket he’s been carrying since they started out in the morning. He then sets to work putting together the newly purchased kite without breaking the plastic cross members or making himself look like a fool.
    Minutes later, with Sarah holding the small plastic handle wrapped with twine, Kyle holds the lime green kite in the air and releases it. The kite flutters in the steady breeze, the edges ruffling as the wind sails past. Squinting in the direct sunlight, Sarah, holding onto the handle as the kite lifts into the air, squeals in delight as it climbs higher. Kyle shows her how to release the line a little at a time so the kite doesn’t plummet down. Soon the diamond-shaped object, with a long yellow tail whipping from side to side, is a small shape against the light blue sky.
    As expected though, Sarah soon grows bored of just holding the string as the kite slowly