Wheeling Gull Isle “Come in sir, for you are weary”

A strange man lay at the end of the land bridge.

Simeon knew he shouldn’t be crossing. He knew the rules Ami and papa had put in place, and he knew they meant to protect him. But the boy’s curiosity drove him seaward. Wolves came ashore by this strange way — he had seen it when Uncle Ev had seemingly walked the waters, like he was some prophet! Until Simeon had seen the tides push a stretch of sand into view, and those images dimmed a little — though didn’t disappear altogether.

He’d found himself alone today. The adults were probably busy, and after looking this way and that, he had crossed the way, a pup too small to swim, knowing in his soul he would make his parents worry, that he would make God sad… but oh! Knowing in his heart he so desperately wanted to see.

And a little look couldn’t hurt him, right?

How could this be so wrong?

But now, saltwater tickled his toes. Too far away from the island to turn back, Simeon tried to act casual, until the water tickled his belly. Oh! He bolted for the mainland in a splashing run — headed straight for the stranger at the edge of their ocean.