The Morning After

Intro

This short story was inspired by two writing prompts:

• Blue (#BlueskyRelay)
• Specific (#vss365)

Having lived in a beach community, I remember how calm the mornings could feel after a storm. This story comes from that kind of moment.

Matilda and Sophia sat outside the café, chairs still damp, air heavy with salt.

“You lose anything this time?” Sophia asked.

“Just the chairs again. Wicker’s halfway down Maple Street.”

Matilda smiled. “You?”

“Fence finally gave up. I think I’ll leave it till the weekend.”

They laughed. A gull limped by, dragging one wing like it couldn’t be bothered. The café owner was sweeping sand out of the doorway, same as every morning after, the local radio humming behind her.

Matilda looked toward the horizon. “Always surprises me how bright it gets after a storm.”

Sophia followed her gaze. “Yeah. Everything looks sharper. The water’s ridiculous.”

“Blue enough to start over,” Matilda said.

Sophia nodded, turning her cup in her hands. “I’ve got one specific thing left to fix, then I’m done.”

“Just one?”

“That’s enough for today.”