Thursday, June 10, 2010

BEACH BOD

Nothing jiggles. Not a hair out of place. Skin a perfect bronze, museum-quality. The bather stoops to the warm water, buttocks tight mounds. Water dribbles down the flat back, outlining hips and an ironing board stomach. Liquid crystals reflect sun and sky, almost blinding me. Jealousy surges, stronger than the languid swells lapping the beach’s edge.

I lean back on my elbows. Kids kick up sand as they run past the faded whales of their suburban hoi-polloi parents. I feel more than see Sam flip on his back, watching me behind polarized lenses. I turn towards him. Already red streaks his shoulders where he’s missed with the sunscreen. Sweat glistens on his forehead which, suddenly, looks higher than this morning. His head swivels to the shoreline, to the Perfect One, joined now by another taut body.

“He’s not so great,” Sam says.

“Who?” I say.

“That guy in the blue thong,” he says. “I mean, look at that gut.”

As if on cue, the man turns in profile. A small, very small, roll of skin flubs over the speedo’s top.

“Oh,” I say. “Yeah.”

Sam stares towards the horizon. I carefully push up from the sandy blanket, pulling down on my top. I look down at the fleshy mountains straining against spandex. Still perky, still firm. I suck in my stomach, clench my ass muscles, and make my way to the water, to better compare the competition.


***

This in response to the theme lovelies by the sea at 52/250, a group blog. We aim to produce a 250 word flash every week for an entire year. The responses to the themes amaze in quality, versatility, and interpretation. Check out last week's catalogue on Cartography.

Peace, Linda

32 comments:

  1. oh god, I can't even THINK about a Speedo..grand imagery here Linda..

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  2. Being British, a trip to the seaside means you actually see very little flesh, so ensconced are we behind woolens and jackets!

    Nice, light touch to this scene.

    Marc Nash

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  3. This made me smile. I related... a lot! Been years since I've been brave enough to go to the beach in a swimming costume.

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  4. You're getting braver after last week! Not that this was as steamy, but still, look at all the skin. It must be summer.

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  5. Thanks for reading! Emma, so super to see you here - I've been lurking on your bloggo and so happy for all your successes.

    Ah, John, not braver - this is SO lame compared to last week in terms of sizzle factor.

    Actually, what I'm trying to get at here is how women at beaches don't look at guys -- they look at other women. They're comparing themselves. I'm not sure that's coming across - is it? If not, suggestions?

    Marc, you Brits always wear woolies. And why go to the beach? It always rains. (My week @ St. Ives/Cornwall was total rain - thank god for PUBS!)

    MJ, I can think of a speedo. Easy. ;^)

    Peace, Linda

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  6. hahaha! Loved it! I don't care how fit you are a speedo doesn't look good on anybody.

    Great post!
    ~2

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  7. Linda, you're so right - women spend all their time at the beach checking out other women and feeling horrid about themselves. You know what? I don't care how jiggly I am. Honest! At least I'm not starving to death like Miss Hotty Totty. LOL
    Loved the rhythm of this story.

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  8. Good story. Got a chuckle out of me.

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  9. That bitch!

    Linda, you're so right about women looking at other woman, and men at men. It might come across more strongly if you didn't mention the other taut body at all until Sam says it. Then maybe reinforce it by saying, I didn't even notice. (or some such thing)

    Great short punch here. Now I'm thinking about speedos. ~ Olivia

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  10. I liked this. And I loved the direction you want with the prompt and the imagery.

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  11. Linda - Cool piece. I like Olivia's suggestions. I'm wondering, though...of course women look at other woman but don't men look at women too? This piece makes me want to head to the beach ...!

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  12. Yes... the chuckle factor here is way high. And I agree... Speedos are lame on everyone.

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  13. Seedos are bad enough, but thongs on a bloke. SHOOT HIM! :-)

    Great piece, Linda, with some excellent imagery. Well done.

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  14. That was supposed to say speedos...not 'seedos'

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  15. Suddenly I'm glad our beaches are rockey rather than sandy. Less time at the gym (or in my case, no time at the gym).

    Great write, Linda. Excellent job of pushing those insecurities to the forefront.

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  16. Ha! That is so true - the jealous of women for the perfect body - also sad. I used to love swimming & the beach - now it is my nemesis - too hot, burns, will not get in a swimsuit. I think the English beaches sound like more fun.

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  17. Good job and in just 250 words. I'll have to check out your 52/250 thing. Sounds interesting.

    I think it funny how her insecurities were sparked by the woman, his by the man, and they were both checking out the person of the same sex rather than the hot one of the opposite sex. Ah the way people think. You captured that well.

    The beach and I have a love/hate relationship. I love the beach, but hate swimwear. Me and a speedo - that would certainly clear the beach. :o
    ~jon

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  18. My lat sea holiday was a sailing one - just me and the other half, finding small coves with no other people - bliss!

    I thought it came across, Linda, that women watch other women.

    Although I am reminded of a conversation with a friend who was just back from a trip to Bali with her boyf:
    "So, was he ogling all the gorgeous Indonesian women?"
    "There weren't many on the beach. Plenty of fit Australian surfers for me to ogle though"

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  19. Go girl, go! It happens to all of us, but those who don't let it rob them of fun, win.

    (I missed the 6S chat too...but it sounds like it was a good thing. I better go show my support!)

    ...my word verification on this is sun dersa-that's fitting!

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  20. A story all of us in the '40 set' can relate to. Yeah...'He's not so great." Take THAT Mr. Body Beautiful...don't make me break out my thong!

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  21. One thing is for sure -- there is a unanimous outcry against speedos! I have to say though -- there are som who can wear them ,and wear them well.

    Anyway, thanks for reading and commenting. Olivia, I'm gonna play with your suggestion before subbing it to 52/250 (yeah, #ff will be my testing ground). Cathy, you really are soooo cute. Ben, I needed a surname today in my novel and I'm happy to report I read your comment and went, wow. Solah. Like that. Bing. You are now Dr. Solah, Neuroscience Division Chief of Jensen-Martell, a pharma company (seriously, let me know if this is NOT kosher with you). Dave, thanks for popping in. You know I am a fan. GIRLS, we must have a beach date at some point -- tankinis were invented for us! (though I also detest the beach at high-season, I am so sun-sensitive). BOYS, feel free to join us, but bring your 'seedos'. H

    The weekend is HERE! Happy happy all. Peace...

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  22. I think it came across, Linda. Women tend to compare themselves to other women rather than check out the speedos. :)

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  23. Yes, who looks at whom came across, but he part I loved best was how the 'watchers' didn't let it affect their self-esteem. Both implied they could join the competition!

    You made me smile.

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  24. I thought the point of looking at the same sex came across quite clear Linda. I don't think you need to mess with this at all.

    I remember (barely) the days of being that perfect bod, (from the diaphragm down anyway). I never gave a second thought to the fully clothed woman sitting under the umbrella, hat and all. Now....I am that woman, so I can relate. Sigh...

    Well done!

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  25. Another stunner from a favorite. I stay away from the beach and pools because of this. Well that and I could be assaulted with the opposite. Thanks Linda. :)

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  26. Is this going to be up at the 52/250 site too?

    I really liked the descriptions. Great job!

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  27. I don't think men do the comparing thing as much as women do, unless they're gay.

    So who's wearing the Speedos? Are they all Germans?

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  28. Sun, sea, sand, sex, and neurosis, all in one tight package (fnar, fnar)

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  29. Got the whole day at the beach in with 250 words. What a place to people watch—right up there with the mall.

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  30. Hah! I was on the beach just today so this resonates a lot. [Except, I didn't waste time comparing myself to anyone else. Just enjoyed looking at the lovely ladies.]

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  31. Good man, Tim, there's evidence of a healthy heterosexual male psyche right there. (Not the only kind of healthy psyche, I must add).

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