The Motions

5 - Live to let go

I changed my username so don't be alarmed lol
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Jackie November 12, 1963 3pm

I closed my eyes and took in the ocean breeze I wiggle my bare feet in to the sand. The children were at home napping with Mrs. Shaw I'll take any opportunity to be alone.
"Excuse me?" Someone asked in a very Spanish accent.
My eyes shot open, considering the fact I assumed I was alone on this beach. A short Mexican looking man stood before me he flashed a toothy grin
"May I help you?"
He bent down and took a handful of sand, he pointed his hand towards me
"See this sand?" He asked looking at his hand
"Yes..." I said hesitantly
"Thousands of grains." He said poking it around.
"What is this about- sir?"
"Give me 5 minutes?"
He said still not looking at me, I found no harm in giving him 5
"I suppose." I said
He let the sand slip through his fingers
"See how easy that was?"
"Yes."
He dusted his hands on his pants
"You're married?" He asked pointing to my ring
"Yes."
"The sand is like your marriage, no?"
He tilted his head and looked in my eyes
"I'm not sure I'm following..." I said still confused as to why this man was talking to me
"Yes you are, deep down. You're on a beach aren't you?" I nod and he continued "At first your hand is full of sand, then the wind comes and blows some away you barely notice until one day you look down and your hand is empty."
"But I don't know--"
He cut me off "And you can get down on your hands and knees and search forever but you never ever get the same exact grains back."
I let his strangely wise words sink in for a moment.
"What's your name?" He asked breaking the silence
"Jackie Kennedy."
"No no no, the name you were born with." He said shaking his head
"Jacqueline Bouvier."
He looked at the ocean and nodded his head
"Ms. Bouvier your husband is a charmer?"
I buck my eyes at him
"Are you aware of this nations president?"
"Fraid not Ms. Bouvier, what's the president got to do this anyways?"
It was almost refreshing to not be known as the First Lady to someone.
"What about you what's your name?" I asked him.
He peeled his stare away from the waters
"Palo Chance."
I roll my eyes
"Is that the name you were born with?"
"No."
We stood there for what seemed like hours in silence
"The sand can be good too bend over pick some up."
I hesitated but bent over and scooped at hand full of sand
"Now each grain is a burden you don't need to carry anymore, grief, regret, guilt."
I look at my hand and see Patrick everyday I live with the burden of his death on my hands
"Now," he said grabbing my hand "let. It. Go."
I opened my hand and the wind swept the sand away. As crazy as it sounds I felt better about Patrick.
Palos hands were still on mine when I heard cameras snapping
"Shoot." I said snatching my hands back.
A few members of the press at seemed to find me on this deserted beach, I guess that's my punishment for not telling the secret service I was leaving
"Mrs. Kennedy who is this?"
"Mrs. Kennedy where is the President?"
I ignored their questions
"Thank you Mr. Chance." I said to him
"Ms. Bouvier your husbands last name doesn't define you."
Then he ran the opposite way. I pondered his thought for a minute, he made me feel powerful, he made me feel better. I almost feel that he was sent by God.

A/N:
This is definitely the strangest chapter I've ever written but I was having trouble deciding how she could work through the grief she had. Please leave feedback! Love you all!!!!