On their day off, they went to the beach. James wore swim trunks and Mercedes a t-shirt and shorts. “I’m going to learn how to surf!” James announced.

“Since when?” Mercedes asked, bringing up a parasol to block the sun and the drool of the long necked dinosaur that stood nearby and stared out over the ocean.

“Since today!”

That said, he ran off to find a surfboard at one of the many vendors that were set up right above where the tide came in, getting their wares wet. James bought a surfboard from the guy who also sold tennis rackets and light bulbs. Mercedes set her towel out far away from the family of gnomes that were discussing how to make a better profit here than the leprechauns down the way. Putting on her sunglasses and propping up her parasol, she made herself comfortable. A bear settled nearby, but he was the quiet sort, so Mercedes didn’t begrudge him as a neighbor.

“Mercedes!”

She looked up at where James was standing in the water, on a wave and still perfectly balanced. She tilted her sunglasses down her nose a little and noted the vacationing penguins holding him up. “Nice, James!” she responded, settling her shades back over her eyes.

Then the whale sent all playing in the water flying. Mercedes repositioned her parasol and opened a book.