INCOMING WAVES

2012-02-27T12:14:00.000-05:00

A PEEK

Everyone loves a peek...deep down they feel they are getting a glimpse at something before their friends. Well, sometimes they are...now...the question is - will they 'tell' others what they've gleaned from being the 'first'?

I guess time will tell...and frankly, I hope they tell anyone with ears who loves pets...

Okay, here's the secret: the very popular novel "Gabby...All About Me" (over 20k downloads in August from Amazon Kindle) now has a sequel underway. For those of you who would like the first peek...here it is...hopefully the new eBook will be available in May 2012. The paperback in June 2012.

So: here's the peek to: "FLASH".

Prologue

Miss Celie’s age or feeble health did not prevent her fromkneeling on the dusty ground. She clapped small, wrinkled hands and whispered,“Flash, come to Mama Celie.” Droopy, brown-spotted white ears shot up as high aspossible hearing the familiar voice. Two steps on large paws and a quick leapplaced the beagle in her apron-covered lap, licking her brown, smile-creasedface.

Nuzzling and holding the ex-stray close, she said, “I shoremissed ya, sugar. Lord knows I have. Oh, and you’s so clean and healthy. You’sfree of ticks and fleas, too.” Her voice cracked as her deep brown eyes filled.Clearing her throat, she buried her face into his neck. With a trembling voice,she whispered, “Told ya God would tend to ya, boy.” Looking heavenward, largecrystal tears slipped down her wrinkled cheeks. “Thank ya, Lord for lookin’ outfor this lil’ pup.”

Swallowing the growing lump in my throat, I mouthed, “Amen.”

Looking down, Miss Celie wiggled thin, gnarly fingers towardGabby. Through blurry eyes, I saw my amazing pooch ease up and lick the elderlylady’s hand. “You’s one beautiful girl…shore is. God used ya in a mightyspecial way to get little Flash tended to. Yessir, He shore did. And you wasobedient.” Gently, she pulled Gabby and Flash tight to her breast, bowing herhead. Her words were too soft for me to hear, but I had no doubt she waspraying.

When their private time concluded, she slowly pushed up onher feet, groaning. However, her smile remained when she focused tired eyes onme. “Ya got two mighty fine friends here, sir. In my way’a thinkin’, you’s oneblessed man.”

“Yes, ma’am, that I am,” I replied, lightly shaking hercalloused hand, and then walking to my car, two pooches on my heels. “God,bless Miss Celie,” I whispered.

The traffic was light so we made excellent time back toSandbridge Beach. Turning onto Sandbridge Road, I woke my two passengers. “Wakeup sleepy heads. We’re almost at the beach, Gabby.”

My medium-sized mixed black lab slipped between the bucketseats and settled into the passenger seat. Have we already crossed thatdeadly bridge going over the ocean?

“Ha! Yep, and you were so out of it, girl, you’d never haveknown if we’d gone overboard. Do you think Flash wants to take a beach rompafter we get unloaded at our cottage?”

A small sneer appeared, revealing white teeth, as she cutbrown eyes at me. Scooter, you’re always playing the funny man. Yes…I’ll betyou a big, juicy hamburger he wants to hit the beach…and he’s never seen one.And for your information, so do I. At least we’re back to the land of normalpeople and not surrounded by kooks like we saw in Central Park.

Gently stroking her head, I said, “Okay, but I’m being veryserious now. Did you enjoy our trip up north? No funny stuff…this is a realquestion.”

She leaned her head against my shoulder and looked into myeyes. Serious means you want the truth, right?

“The whole truth…nothing but –”

Nudging me, she replied, I knowthe rest, Scooter. Okay, our trip was very nice and loads of fun. I surelearned a lot. I saw some weird humans running loose in public. I ate in afirst-class restaurant, saw little Kay and, we rescued Flash and met a verynice vet who cared about dogs. And, Scooter, we met Miss Celie. She is realnice lady. So, yes, I enjoyed the trip.

“Good. I’m happy because so did I. Now, how would you comparethis trip with all of your life’s experiences?”

Straightening up and looking at me, she replied, I hopethese ‘serious’ questions are not you digging for nuggets to begin writing anew novel. You remind me of the Pooch Police who picked me up, questioning mefor not having a license. Now, that’s serious stuff, Scoot.

“Okay. I’m sorry, Gabby. Forget I asked.”

She crossed her front paws on the console. Scooter, ourtrip was very nice. Now, the day you adopted me from the shelter was reallyawesome. But, since you want me to rate my life’s experiences, okay. That’s nobig deal, pal. I have to start with my adoption, cause without that, well, noneof the other good stuff would have happened. So, as long as you know where I’mcoming from, we’re straight. Here we go. I rate my saving little Kay fromdrowning, at the top. In second place, well, it’s a toss-up between saving thedolphin and Flash, so I’ll put them together. Next, meeting those specialchildren who come here to the beach, and making them laugh. They really arespecial children.

As Gabby poured out her big heart, my eyes became moist and mythroat tightened. The depth of her words made me realize this pooch was notonly intelligent, but she possessed a double-shot of love and compassion. “Iagree, Gabby. Your priorities are in the proper order.” Giving her head agentle stroke, I said, “I’m very proud of you.”

Thanks, Scoot-toot. See, the trip we set out on was about us– your novel and maybe my movie – but these other experiences I’ve mentionedare about us – helping others. You and I will always get by, but it’s reallynice to do good things for others.

“You’re so right, Gabby. You know, with my novel beingpublished, and a possible movie in the works, about you, I think our laid-backbeach life could become a little more hectic.”

Ah, we’ll be okay, Scoot. Now that Flash is living with us,when you’re busy writing, he and I can enjoy the beach together. And before yousay anything, there’s no need for you to worry about us...I’ll take good careof him. He has a lot to learn about living beside the ocean.

____

Email me (sandbridgeauthor@cox.net) if you'd like to read more as an editor and adviser.

_____

FEBRUARY 12th @ SANDBRIDGE BEACH

"Yes, it was cold with a wind chill of 15, but the sun made everything perfect."

==============================================

"SANDY HIGH-FIVES TO YOU!"

I am a smilin' beach dude today! Yep, for some strange reason I was selected to be video-taped and interviewed for our very classy website "SANDBRIDGE LIFE". My thanks to the professional young woman, Kaycee, and to all of my readers and friends.

If you have a minute with absolutely nothing else to do, click the link. I'll meet you there. "CLICK" and visit Sandbridge Beach. Keep Smilin'....

On The Beach

INCOMING WAVES