I had a hard time getting started with today's quick write. (You can find it here http://www.katemessner.com/teachers-write-7814-tuesday-quick-write/#respond) I really struggled because, for some reason, I don't have many vivid memories of my childhood, or even my teen years. I have "snapshots" of events in my head, but don't remember enough details to write about the events with any accuracy. After reading through many other "campers" stories, an idea finally came to me. I did my freewrite, from my own 6 year old perspective of the time I got lost at the beach. I very quickly filled 2 pages with my writing. The next step was to fictionalize the story. Following is my attempt at this. This is a first draft of the fictionalized version of this story.

     Annie couldn't wait to get to the beach. She put on her red checkered bikini that Mama had given her just days before for her 7th birthday. 

     "Let's goooooo!" she whined, eager to feel that warm Florida sand between her toes. 

     Mama finished getting the other kids ready and handed everyone something to carry - coolers, towels, chairs, blankets, beach toys - and they began the trek down the splintered walkway that led to the beach. Along the way, they met up with Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Gail and her baby, Shannon, making a group of nine, heading out for a morning of sandcastle building, wave jumping, and Annie's favorite, shell hunting.

     The group arrived at the beach and after a short debate, found the perfect spot. Blankets were spread out and chairs and umbrellas were set up as Annie and her siblings pestered Mama to get going.

     "I am going to jump waves," Annie's 8 year old brother, Sam, shouted.

     "Sandcastle, Mama!" yelled 4 1/2 year old Allie.

     "You proooooomiiissssssed we'd look for shells!!!!" insisted Annie.

    Mama was having a hard time keeping 2 year old Charlie contained to the beach blanket and yelled out a frustrated, "Stay put!"

     Annie noticed a perfect, tiny, white shell reflecting the sun, just a few feet away. She hurriedly hopped over and grabbed it, examining its smooth, rounded surface. As she turned it over in her hand, another shell caught her eye. This one was just a few feet further down the beach. Annie glanced at Mama, who was preoccupied with Allie and Charlie. She decided it would be okay to get the shell. After all, it was only a few small steps away.Annie skipped lightly to the shell and took the twisted piece into her small hands, noticing, out of the corner of her eye, a small pile of shells just another short distance away. Jackpot! Another quick glance toward Mama, who was trying to keep Charlie from eating sand while helping Allie build a dripped-water sandcastle, let Annie know she could safely visit the nearby shell pile.

     After a few minutes of examining the shells, keeping only the perfect ones, Annie ventured a little further down the crowded beach. One saltwater-polished shell led to another. Soon Annie's little hands were full and she turned to show Mama her treasures. 

     Where was she? 

     Annie scanned dozens of faces - moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and kids, all enjoying their morning at the beach, but none of them HERS!

     She began walking back in the direction she came from, looking for a familiar face or landmark. She knew she hadn't gone far...had she? It was just a few steps...wasn't it?

     Annie remembered Mama telling her their hotel was the short one with the green awnings after the tall one with the black balconies. She turned and scanned the long row of hotels lining the beach. They all looked the same! Annie walked a little further, still looking for her family, listening for Allie's girly laugh or Charlie's high-pitched squeal that he let loose when he was excited. She scanned each person, looking for Grandpa's stubble-covered, care-worn face, or Grandma with her prickly light green curlers covered by a faded pink scarf. Annie scanned the edge of the water for her big brother, Sam. Surely he would be running and jumping waves like crazy. She looked for the familiar faded blue umbrella and the rainbow-checked blanket. But, Annie's family was nowhere to be found.

     Had she been forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the chaos of a large family? Had they headed back to the hotel for lunch, not realizing she wasn't with them?

     Annie walked back and forth on the beach for what seemed like an eternity, her treasured shells forgotten. Where was Mama? Was she looking for her? Was she worried? Would they ever find her? A lump began to rise in her throat, growing larger with each lonely step. The hot sun beat down on Annie's braided head and tears filled her soft, brown eyes. She walked up to a kind looking lady toting a crabby, chubby-cheeked toddler on her hip. She quietly choked out, "I think I am lost," as the tears spilled down her freckled, sunburned cheeks.