Waves: chapter 1

The white foam of the waves is said to be the souls of dead mermaids. As they touch the shore, they go to paradise and live forever in peace. Do I believe that? I don’t know. I guess it just makes me feel safe in the water. My sister, Aleena, is terrified of the water. She won’t go anywhere near it. I don’t know why.
“Saskia! Kom hier over!” Saskia! Come over here! My mother calls to me.
“Wij zullen zijn laat als u zich niet haast!” We will be late if you do not hurry!
“Volgende moeder!” Coming mother! I shout back across the dunes. Hoping my voice makes it to her.
“Kom, Aleena. De moeder zal omhoog uw hulpverpakking ons toestel nodig hebben.” Come along, Aleena. Mother will need your help packing up our gear. Aleena ignores me and keeps on building her sand castle. She can be very frustrating at times.
“Aleena! Ga hulpmoeder, nu!” Aleena! Go help mother, now! I yell in her ear.
“Boete, boete! Ik zal gaan! Maar u moet eveneens helpen.” Fine, fine! I will go! But you have to help as well. She screams back as she trudges away and out of site. I choose to ignore her, and take a quick swim in the ocean, one last time. We only ever get to go once a year.

Signed: Sigger!