The end of the day had been and slipped away unnoticed as Mari and I kissed and explored the contours of each others body. The moon had risen on what was a beautifully clear star filled night. It was a 'Jumper’s Moon' bright, and huge, spreading a sharp and clear grey light that even on that empty beach could cast a shadow. She stopped kissing me very suddenly and sat up; crossing her arms over her knees again and staring out across the ocean. It seemed clear enough a night that if you looked hard and long enough you would see the coast of Portugal.

"I think the beach can be truly magic at night don’t you John?" She purred turning to me, lips swollen from our play. "Day’s end is period of transition that is rife with magic, and the possibility of renewal and new beginnings. Pour us another glass of wine."

"I don’t think we have any left Mari. Hold on I’ll check." I felt intoxicated enough as it was from her touch. As it turned out the bottle was still half full. "Ah here you go…Still some left."

I filled both our glasses and joined her at the end of the blanket, handing her one before sitting down beside her.

"To new beginnings" she toasted and we raised our glasses in unison. Alistair had fallen asleep on a pile of towels a few feet away. We stared out at the surf choosing to remain silent. My heart was racing with excitement. I was enjoying the butterfly thrill that flutters in the pit of your stomach when you’re near someone you find attractive for the first time.

We looked out on the surf that was no more than a meter high, listening to the regular rhythm of the waves rolling up the beach. The white caps were luminescent in the moonlight, a gentle shore breeze passed steadily by on its way out to sea. Mari’s hair dancing in the air, partially obscured her sexy mouth but little could distract me from the magic that was her eyes.

"So you are the Sea Witch then…" I offered that as a conversation piece but instantly realized that she could not possibly take it the way it was intended.

After a moment or two she looked down at her feet and wiggled her toes. "So what have the local folk told you about me then?" she chuckled.

"As I recall," I replied, relieved that she wasn’t offended, "The storey goes that if I pursue you,you will disappear, and if I continue my chase, then you will cast a spell on me."

She seemed puzzled at first then laughed softly before continuing, "I think you’ve mixed two local tales together. A Sea Witch appears only to those she seeks, no one else. She is the guardian of balance, and uses her influence to restore order."

She paused, looking out to sea before continuing. "There are seasons and cycles in the world both on land and sea that occasionally come to odds. My role is to restore harmony to the ebb and flow in the natural forces that unite the two. Casting spells on individual men isn’t in the job description." She chuckled again before looking down at her toes, wiggling in the cool sand.

"So what is the other local legend then?" I asked somewhat taken aback by her explanation.

"You will soon come to understand that one completely John, no worries."

I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. "You have cast a spell on me I think. I feel some kind of magic at work in any case."

"What you feel my dear is the glimmer of hope…that I will spread my legs for you, and that is most certainly about to happen" She finished her glass of wine and stood up walking to the center of the blanket. Untying the knot in the cover up, she released it to the wind. I watched it briefly as it floated to the sand.

My eyes returned to Mari, who was arranging her hair in a ponytail. The moon framed her head and shoulders perfectly, providing a wonderful halo. Slowly, she lowered both straps of her bathing suit from her shoulders and pulled them below her hips, exposing her breasts. Even in the shadow of moonlight they were magnificent; round and full, nipples large and erect. I was now completely captivated. She then turned ninety degrees and bending over at the waist, lowered the suit to her ankles before stepping out of it. Her silhouette in profile was breathtaking. A taught midriff and a gorgeous heart shaped ass with just a wisp of hair rising from her sex.

She took several steps towards me before squatting down and placing both her hands on either side of my face and giving me an open mouthed kiss. Her breath tasted of the sea air, and wine. "Make love to me John. It’s been such a long time for me…"

I lay back as she straddled me and began unbuttoning my shirt. "How long Mari?"

"It seems like a thousand years" she smiled, and within seconds had my trunks off.

I lay on the blanket aroused by this nymph beyond any experience I could compare. The cool night air only enhanced the feeling. She was kneeling beside me and began caressing my skin gently with her right hand, muttering something unintelligible below her breath. I began to feel a warm tingling glow beneath her touch that spread through my entire body with her gentle caress.

"How are you doing that? It feels so good" I moaned

"Hush baby just enjoy…" she said softly in my ear before kissing me again.

She finally settled on my erection using both hands now. I felt as though I would burst and was barely conscious of the fact that I had started moaning with pleasure. I felt her mouth slip gently down my shaft as she squeezed my hips. I erupted in orgasm almost immediately, jerking almost convulsively for perhaps a minute, still sheathed in her mouth. She sat up, continuing to work my phallus with her hands for a few seconds before taking the tip of my penis back in her mouth and catching the remaining font of ejaculate.

"Wow John, that was wonderful. Such a powerful orgasm and so sexy sweet tasting!" she continued her manipulation on my shaft that for some reason only became harder. "And you seem to have some more…perfect!"

She straddled my torso and remaining in a squat, placed the tip of my phallus against her inner folds. Bracing herself on my chest she began to lower herself on my penis slowly. She seemed reticent at first, but as I began gently thrusting in and out, she grabbed my waist, positioning herself to allow deeper penetration. It didn’t take long before she again took control, grinding her sex hard against mine, forward and back, and occasionally in a delightful circular motion.

I could feel her vaginal muscles squeezing and throbbing in response to our gyrations. Her breasts danced hypnotically above me, as her hair became loose and fell across her shoulders. We continued our lustful dance for what seemed erotic hours, changing positions occasionally, but always coming back to me on my back with her astride my penis. At times I felt as though my body was almost entirely an erect organ, all of my existence concentrated there, throbbing in the dance with Mari.

She sometimes appeared lost in her own world, moaning and uttering strange and beautiful words and phrases unrecognizable to my ear. The moon was directly above us now, casting the shadow of her perfect form upon me. At one point she began to moan in a haunting melody, in time with her gyration, her voice growing stronger. I could feel my blood pressure rising, a soft ringing in my ears, and the strange feeling that I was on the verge of slipping into unconsciousness.

Suddenly stiffening, she arched her back, and let out a piercing scream of triumph, digging her nails into my torso. Her sex clamped down on my engorged penis with pulsing ferocity. My second orgasm followed immediately with such intensity that I’m certain that night instantly turned to day.

She collapsed upon my chest, her hair covering my face. I wrapped my arms around her, and we lay still, my member slowly relaxing, our breathing gradually returning to normal. I felt a gentle wave of tranquility roll across the core of my being. I had not been at such peace for a very long time.

"That was wonderful; you make me feel very sexy." she sighed

"It will be dawn soon we should get dressed. People may arrive soon to try their luck at surf casting for sea trout."

"It can’t be that late surely." I checked my watch, it was. Time flies when you’re having fun, I mused to myself.

The air seemed chilled now that we were no longer embraced. I quickly buttoned my shirt and pulled on my swim trunks, "I’m going to grab a jacket. I have an extra sweater, would you like to wear it?"

"No, sweetie, I’m good" she replied.

I turned to look at her in disbelief and noticed immediately that she was dressed in the same tan Capri’s and shirt she had worn the day before, and a bright red anorak. "Sea Witch" she smiled.

I dashed up the beach to the car and found a pair of jeans in the trunk and quickly pulled them on. Grabbing a windbreaker, I slammed the trunk and headed back to the beach to find Mari sitting on the blanket with Alley’s head cradled in her lap. She was whispering to him and scratching gently behind his ears.

"He’ll be after his breakfast soon" I said sitting down beside her

"Not yet" she replied, "We need to talk first."

"Tell me where you hid your clothes under that bathing suit."

"John, I told you I’m a Sea Witch. We have ways of doing things that should seem like magic." She chuckled. Her laughter was very infectious.

Alley let out a huge sigh without lifting his head from her lap. "We need to talk about grief, John" She said suddenly changing the tone of the conversation, "Please sit down."

"Grief is a necessary and natural component of living John and you must stop trying to avoid it by burying it so deep inside." She had reached out and placed a hand on my cheek. "Let it rise within and wash away the pain of loss. It’s absolutely necessary that you do that so you can feel complete joy in your life again."

"I don’t need complete joy in my life, short of having Sandy and the kids again. There won’t be any need to let go of anything."

"You’re like a swimmer caught in an undertow; fighting and raging against forces that are more powerful, heartless, and ageless in their pattern." She paused briefly before continuing, "You do need complete joy in your life, and the world demands it. It's part of the natural order of things. You have been chosen to lead a large life; a roller coaster ride with triumph and disaster in perfect balance. You have so much to give and to live for You must complete your return to the land of the living, John."

We sat quietly and talked as the first light of day broke across the sea and pushed the shadow of night from the beach. The morning fog was building off shore and gently rolling in, tendrils clawing at the dunes first then as a heavy mist that condensed upon my face and hair.

Mari went on to explain that grief was a powerful tool that cleanses the pain of separation and loss, washing away regret, leaving only the fond memories of acquaintances and events. Fighting it was denying the pleasure of remembrance without pain. I needed to move past the anger of loss and into acceptance and hope; grief was my ally in restoring emotional balance once again.

I was very receptive and touched deeply by what she was saying to me. I wondered if it was because of the brilliant simplicity in the obvious truth she spoke, or if I was just susceptible in the after glow that follows great sex.

"You are a good man for taking such loving care of your family's dog. He has had a good life, and enjoyed being your companion." She looked at me for a moment and smiled as the realization of what she was saying began to wash over me. A tear had slipped out of my right eye and was running down my cheek. "Thank you for bringing him to the sea. It’s his time now…He must complete his journey with me."

"What are you saying? I can’t let you take my dog! He’s all I have left…" the tears were flowing freely now. Alley had got up and trotted ten feet away before turning and sitting down and watching us patiently.

"It’s time for him to have a chance to romp with Ian and Moira again. Sandy and the kids are waiting for him John. You know that in your heart." She held me in a gentle hug and whispered to me, "Did you not wonder how you knew to bring him here?"

I was sobbing quietly now as she slowly rocked me in a comforting embrace. "Please don’t take my Alley" I cried, "I’ll have nothing left"

Placing her hand on my chest she said, "You will always have him and the others right here" The magical warm glow in my chest returned and I snorted a short laugh at the sensation. "Let them go baby, its time"

"I guess…" she held me for a while longer before standing up and walking away from me towards my little brown dog, my best friend in this world. He looked up her and then at me, his ears up in anticipation of something coming his way. Although they were no more than ten yards away, the gathering fog and the tears in my eyes made it difficult to see them in detail.

Mari patted him gently on the head, whispering to him, before turning to me, "If you promise to do four things for me John I will give you a precious gift that you can treasure for a life time."

I thought for a few seconds letting the surreal nature of what was happening sink in. "What can I do Mari?"

"You must first journey to your home in the Avon Valley and seek out the family of the boy who was involved in the accident and tell them that you forgive him…"

I thought about that request and realized that although it would be difficult it would help others to heal as well, and would therefore be a great act of kindness. "Okay I’ll try to do that while I’m here…"

"You must seek out your family and share your grief with them, and then journey to Sandra’s parent’s home, and recount your memories of her and the children with them. They are getting older, have only each other, and worry about you."

I felt tears of shame at having turned my back on those who cared about me and had loved my family so dearly. "I can promise to do that Mari. What else?"

"You must promise to stay on the blanket, and not venture off it until what you see has faded away. Can you do that?"

"Okay…" My head was swimming in wonder at what she was going to reveal.

"If you do, she will vanish, do you understand?" Her tone had become soothing but at the same time quite firm.

"I understand" My heart was thumping with anticipation as it began to occur to me what was about to happen.

"Stay there John, and wait a while and you will see something truly wonderful and amazing, I promise on your promise. Good bye sweet man. Live a long and wonderful life."

"Wait Mari, can’t I see you again?" I wanted to get to know this woman so much better and so many questions to ask of her.

"I would love to see you again. Come back sometime in the years ahead and look for me walking along the beach in the morning, and I'll find you. We can get reacquainted. I’ll look forward to it!" The two of them had walked off into the morning mist and were now out of site.

I had to resist the urge to go running after them, remembering my promise to her, waiting patiently for something unknown to happen, head swimming with possibilities. I sat for what seemed an eternity as the sun rose higher in the sky gradually burning off the fog. Visibility increased to twenty yards then thirty and finally as far as forty yards, the mist beginning to break up as the breeze shifted, blowing it back out to sea.

I looked down at the blanket and saw beside me Alistair’s rope toy, frayed and worn, and was suddenly filled with a sense of loss and began to weep again, feeling duped. It was then that I heard a familiar voice from the past that filled my heart with joy.

"Alley, sit. Good boy! Good sit." It was Sandy’s voice, sweet as life.

I clutched the blanket with both hands, wondering if I’d gone mad. The fog retreated further revealing my beautiful wife standing at the waters edge in a white printed sundress covered in a pattern of large red and yellow hibiscus flowers. Alley was vibrating in anticipation of a stick being launched into the surf. He looked as if he was only a year old again. Off to the left I could see Moira, wearing her purple swimsuit with yellow ruffles, a white sun hat and ridiculously large green plastic sunglasses working on a sand castle by her.

"Mummy I need some more seashells!" she announced, busily patting the sides of a pile of sand that was as big as she was.

"Okay in a minute Sweety. Get your brother to look for them." Sandy replied as she hurled the stick seaward in response to Alley’s yapping complaint.

"Sandra! Moira!" I yelled out in excitement and joy at being able to see them so close only yards away on the beach as though the accident had never happened and time had stood still.

I slowly realized that I was experiencing a perfect recall of a day at the beach the summer before they had been lost to me. At any moment Ian would appear…

And he did, charging up the beach dragging a massive length of kelp, "Mummy look what I found!" he said raising it above his head with both arms to present to his mother, "There’s bugs on it!"

I sat back laughing, in tears of joy as I watched them play, anticipating how the events would unfold, getting it mostly right, but not always. I had not allowed myself to remember how wonderful our time together had been for so long.

They wandered up and down the beach, searching for shells for Moira’s construction, Alley dancing around them all the while. I remembered that on that day I was tired and had chosen to lay on the beach towels, content to read and observe from a distance as they enjoyed the surf. At one point Alistair left them about fifty yards down the beach and started chasing sandpipers that were patrolling the waters edge searching for a morning meal. He eventually got close enough to me that I could see in detail how beautiful a young dog he had been.

"Alley!" I called out to him. To my surprise he stopped and raised his head towards me.

"Alley! Come!" And he did, running to within ten yards of the blanket before stopping to sit down, his eyes shifting from Sandra and the kids back and forth to me.

I remembered what Mari had said about leaving the blanket, and dared not. I looked down at it spotting his rope toy and standing up, hurled it towards the sea. He was after it in a flash, picking it up as soon as it had touched the sand. He sat down again to show what a good boy he was and I noticed that the toy looked almost new; gone were the frayed ends, neat knots in their stead.

I laughed falling back. Of course! The rope toy had just appeared that day at the beach. We’d assumed that he had found it abandoned by another dog, or washed up on the beach. He was off in a shot to show Sandy and the kids, his new favourite toy.

I sat and watched for perhaps another half hour as they wandered further down the beach. Their voices were too distant to hear except on one occasion when Ian picked up a large piece of driftwood that Alistair immediately stole from him.

"Alley No! That’s my stick!" I could hear his little voice howl in complaint as he chased his dog further up the beach.

Eventually they were just tiny dots flickering at the edge of the sea, a couple of kilometres away, before disappearing from view completely.

"Please come back ." I realized the dream was over and I fell backward, my arm over my stinging eyes to shield them from the sun and began to shudder as the need to cry welled up unopposed taking hold of me. I cried in gratitude for the gift that Mari had given me.

I cried for my loss, for the loss to the world of those beautiful souls, for Alley, Sandra, Moira, and Ian. The tears flowed mercilessly at first, but calmness and peace followed. I entered a rollercoaster ride of relief and sorrow that lasted for perhaps an hour before I collapsed exhausted and slept on the beach under the full sun and gentle sea breeze.

I awoke several hours later, wrapped in the blanket, feeling disoriented. I sat up and rubbing my swollen bloodshot eyes in disbeleif, became aware that Alistair was asleep beside me. He had brought back his rope toy.

"Alley you came back to me!" I put my hand on him to shake him awake pleased that he’d decided to return, but he would not stir. I sat back on the blanket holding him in my arms like a sleeping infant and rocked back and forth grateful that he had found his way back to the sea, and remembering all that he had done for me, making no effort to resist the tears that flooded back.

"Are you okay Mister?"

I turned quickly to see a small boy perhaps eight years old holding a beach shovel and pail, looking at me with concern. Beyond him perhaps a hundred yards along the beach were a young family having a picnic, enjoying a day by the sea.

"Yeah, I’m good." I replied, "It’s just that my dog has died and I feel a little sad." I replied, unashamed of my public display of sorrow.

"It’s okay Mister. My dog died too last year; he was old. Would you like me to make a cross for him?"

"That would be really great thank you."

I buried Alistair in the dunes behind Riser’s beach. I dug a deep hole using a collapsible shovel I kept in the emergency kit in my vehicle. I gently laid him to rest with his favourite toy, facing out to sea. The young family joined me in a graveside remembrance ceremony, showing only concern for my loss and sympathy. Their understanding and generosity in accepting my behaviour was cathartic for me. I know to this day that I am a kinder more sympathetic man because of their example, and have come to understand what Mari meant by 'joining the rest of the world'.

I was grateful to Alistair for entrusting his body to me and for choosing the beach as his final resting place, where he could be with the rest of my family forever in my heart. Burying him in the presence of others allowed me to honour him and openly express gratitude for his loyal companionship.

I made the journey to the Avon Valley as promised and met with the parents of the young man who was also killed in the accident. I mourned with them at the graves of our loved ones, spending time getting to know them, and through them, him well enough to never demonize him again.

All told I spent a week with my own family members, getting reacquainted and catching up on the lost years since Sandy and the kid’s had died. We promised to be closer and spend at least the occasional Christmas or Thanksgiving together. It was my mother that seemed to have suffered the greatest from my withdrawal. I spent an afternoon of remembrance of her grandchildren with her, pouring over the photos she had of them. I promised to send her more.

I waited until I got home to fulfill the final promise I had made to Mari. It took some time to locate Sandra’s parents but I decide to call right away as soon as I got their telephone number.

"Hello Samuel?" I asked awaiting confirmation. His voice sounded much older than I remembered. "It’s John. John Edwards Sandra’s husband"

"John?.Is that you really?" there was a pause during which I could hear him in the background, "Its John. Sandy’s John. Just a minute dear hold on."

"Hi John! How are you?" His voice was stronger now, almost excited.

"I’m good Sam, How are you?" I replied relieved that they still remembered me. Before he could reply I blurted it out, "Listen, I’m going to be in your neck of the woods in a couple of weeks on business and if it’s okay with you I would love to stop by with some pictures of Sandra and the kids; maybe talk about old times…."

There was a long pause that had me worried, as I chewed my lower lip, waiting. Then finally, "That would be wonderful John. We would love to see you again. Do you know how to find the new place?"

In the fall, I visited a nursery and chose a tree to plant in the woodland garden in memory of my little brown dog. I chose a large Pagoda Dogwood, thinking he would agree with the choice. The nursery man started to give detailed planting instructions but I stopped him with a knowing smile.

"Its okay, I know what to do, I’ve been a woodland gardener for ten years now" I said, Hoisting the tree into the back of a rented pick-up.

"That’s excellent sir. It’s said that a man who gardens with trees, is optimistic about the future." he said closing the tailgate for me.

"Yes." I replied laughing, "I suppose that is very true. Listen, while I’m here, do you suppose you might have any Sea-Lavender? I’m thinking of getting started on the front yard with some interesting perennials…."

When I walk the paths in my backyard woodland garden, it’s with a sense of pride in having helped create something wonderful. Each season brings a new and exciting display of colour, and a riot of wildlife. When working in it I sometimes pick up some of Alley’s toys, and smiling, carefully replace them where I find them.

Mari’s gift to me set a precedent for revisiting the fond memories I hold dear. The greater gift she bestowed upon me was in helping me to overcome my self inflicted isolation. The world is filled with many interesting people and places and I chose to become a part of that again.

I often think of my loved ones and never try to deny the occasional day of sadness, choosing instead to roll with it, until it passes. I’m less the recluse than I was but still prefer to keep my own company. Perhaps meeting the right someone will change that too.