Chapter 5 – The Walk

Sophie saw Lena first.

Then Daniel.

Then the sign.

Her expression changed immediately.

One hand went to her mouth.

Daniel smiled.

A genuine one.

For several seconds the entire argument disappeared.

Sophie started laughing.

“What are you doing?”

Daniel walked toward her.

“Come here.”

She looked at the flowers.

Then at Marta in the distance.

Then at Daniel again.

“You didn’t.”

Daniel took her hand.

“I might have.”

Sophie was already crying.

“Daniel.”

People nearby started noticing.

Nobody crowded them.

A few smiled.

The family packing towels paused.

An older woman near the promenade nudged her husband.

Daniel walked Sophie toward the sign.

Claudia was still standing beside her towel.

Watching.

Daniel noticed.

He decided not to.

They reached the flowers.

Daniel turned toward Sophie.

His voice shook.

“I had a whole speech.”

Sophie laughed through tears.

“Oh no.”

“Yes.”

“That sounds dangerous.”

“I forgot all of it.”

She squeezed his hand.

“Good.”

Daniel laughed.

Then became serious.

“Sophie.”

She looked at him.

He reached into his pocket.

That was when Claudia called out:

“Can you move the sign again?”

Nobody answered.

Daniel froze.

Sophie looked toward the voice.

Daniel whispered:

“Don’t.”

Claudia stepped closer.

“It is too close to the waterline now.”

Lena stared.

“You have got to be kidding.”

Daniel turned.

“Not now.”

Claudia pointed.

“I told you this was the problem.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

“Please.”

Sophie looked confused.

“Who is she?”

“No one.”

Claudia heard.

“Excuse me?”

Daniel turned fully.

“I said please.”

“You moved everything into another area people use.”

Daniel stared at her.

“There is nobody there.”

“That isn’t the point.”

Sophie whispered:

“Daniel?”

He looked back at her.

“Sorry.”

Claudia continued.

“And you’re still photographing people.”

Marta lowered the camera.

Daniel snapped.

“STOP.”

The word carried across the beach.

Sophie flinched.

Daniel saw it.

His anger immediately turned into frustration with himself.

He lowered his voice.

“Just stop. Please.”

Claudia stared at him.

“You don’t get to scream at me.”

Daniel said:

“Then leave us alone.”

“I am allowed to be here.”

“Nobody said you’re not.”

“You keep saying it.”

“No!”

Daniel pointed toward the entire shoreline.

“I’m saying stop interrupting my proposal!”

Claudia crossed her arms.

“If your proposal cannot survive someone speaking, maybe that’s your problem.”

Daniel went completely still.