For the first time in months Debby had the day to herself. She woke up early with the sun shining brightly through the window. She forgot to close the curtains the previous night because she was just too tired. It was still early and she turned around to go back to sleep but after a few minutes realized that that was just not going to happen.
She'd been working night shift for the last two months and she was totally exhausted. She was the head nurse in the emergency unit at the best hospital in the city, and she devoted herself to her job. Lately she had been feeling more tired than usual, and one of the doctor's suggested that she take a few days off. She hasn't had a holiday in the last two years since starting at the hospital and for once decided to take the doctor's advice.
She lay in bed trying to fall asleep again, but decided that it was a total waste of time. She got up to go to the bathroom, and stopped in front of the mirror and had a good look at herself. She was as pale as a ghost due to the lack of sun, and she was sure a little bit of vitamin D would solve that situation quickly.
It was an absolute shame that she lived so close to the ocean, but she never had time to spend on the beach. She took a quick shower,tied her hair up in a ponytail, and then continued to put on a pair of shorts over her swimming costume. Today she was going to make up for lost time. She would grab a bite to eat at the kiosk, near the beachfront but she was going to enjoy every little bit of sunshine that she could.
It was extremely hot and she rented an umbrella to at least have some form of shade. She found a good spot and set herself up neatly. After she put on her suntan-lotion, she shook the sand off her towel, and lay down on the beach under the umbrella. She took out her book to read and it didn't take too long for her to become drowsy and she decided to take a short nap. She felt so relaxed- more relaxed than she had in months- and drifted in and out of sleep in the next few minutes.
She slept for a while, but was then rudely interrupted by a ball hitting her right on her forehead. She shrieked and jumped up to check what was going on, but was still in a haze from the sleep. Next to her was a little boy with the sweetest innocent face she had ever seen. He was about six year's old and she didn't have the heart to scold him.
"I'm sorry lady...my dad is teaching me to catch a ball and I missed...." he said very politely. Debby saw a man walking closer and dusted the sand of her face.
"I'm so sorry. I'm Ben and this is my son Michael....How can we make this up to you?"
Debby could see that they felt very sorry. She smiled and said:
"You don't have to make up anything. Perhaps it was a good thing that this happened. I might have burned to a crisp if I slept longer."
"Can I stick you for a drink?" Ben said hopefully.
"That would be great, as long as we can get some ice-cream for this little man" Debby said and winked at Michael.
Michael helped her to pack up her stuff while Ben took down the umbrella.
"Not a bad deal" Debby thought to herself as they walked to the restaurant.
It is amazing what you can pick up at the beach if you just put in the effort:)
