Mel returned from the grocery store in Port Bramble and put away his four bags of groceries, delighted that his three days of driving were finally over for a little while. He was overwhelmed with exhaustion after the long drive north from Florida and felt like plopping into bed immediately, but it was still a bit too early for that. He knew if he fell asleep now, he would be wide awake by the middle of the night.
He unlocked the back door of his newly rented cottage and stepped out onto the covered porch. The last few rays from the setting sun glistened on the crests of the gentle waves as they meandered unobstructed toward the gently sloping, surprisingly long beach of Lake Winatachi.
Mel stood there for a few minutes and silently thanked the “Powers that be” for his amazing good fortun
