La Playa

Air thick with the smell of salt and brine washed over me as I walked outside. A cloudless sky, an ocean just a shade darker than the blue of the water greeted me with slow waves. A few people dotted the sand, tanning or walking into the water. I heard the distant mumble of conversation, music and laughter, the lone cry of a seagull as it faded in passing. But mostly, it was quiet. I knelt down and let the smooth, warm sand fall between my fingers. This was peace.