Above All Else

by Chris Widener

Chapter I

Michael Jones was walking down the beach on his beloved Sanibel Island. He and his wife Amy had lived an incredible life, and now, at age seventy-two, he was enjoying the fruit of that life. A number of years ago, they had built their dream home on West Gulf Drive on this exquisite tropical island. It was a sprawling estate built on three lots, with a cost of over ten million dollars. It had a gorgeous view to the south, looking out to the seemingly endless horizon. Dolphins regularly swam just off the beach. Birds were plenty. And most of all, Michael loved the shells—a nearly endless beach of incredible shells. He loved to walk and look for another perfect shell for his collection. He and Amy enjoyed the hand-in-hand walks they took together, but this evening, Michael was by himself. It was just before sunset, and he was walking toward the setting sun. His heart was filled with the wonder of it all.

His peace was temporarily broken when his cell phone rang. He normally didn’t bring it with him on his walks, but he forgot to take it out of his back pocket before he left. When he saw who it was on his caller I.D., he was glad he had it. It was his oldest grandchild, Josh.

He punched the “connect” button. “Josh! How are you?”

“Good, Grandpa. How are you?”

“I am doing terrific. Just walking along the beach, enjoying the sunset. What are you up to?”

“Just doing homework.” It was September of Josh’s senior year of high school, and he was inundated by the workload. Josh was a good kid—a strong young man with a good head on his shoulders and a bright future. Since Michael and Amy had moved full time to Sanibel Island, Josh hadn’t seen as much of his grandparents. Usually just a week a year for vacations. But Josh and Michael spoke on the phone every couple of weeks.

“What classes are you taking? You are a senior this year, right?”

“Yep. One year to go. I am taking the normal stuff. Pre-Calculus, English, History. You know.”

“Well, your grandpa is getting up there. It was over fifty years ago when I was in high school. Are you enjoying it?”

“Actually, I am. I am just trying to make sure I do well in school and also have some fun with my friends. You know what they say, ‘All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy.’ ”

“Just like your grandpa, Josh.”

“Well, Grandpa, I am calling because of one class I am taking. It requires me to do a senior project on a successful person.”

“Yeah, who are you going to do it on?”

“Well, I was thinking about doing it on you, Grandpa.”

Read the rest of Chapter I of Above All Else.

—Chris Widener