# The House on Gator Cove

# A Morning Walk

(Ai used for some scenes)

The first rays of the Florida morning sun spilled through the front windows of Gigi's house, painting warm streaks of gold across the hardwood floor. Outside, birds chattered from the palms while a gentle breeze stirred the hanging plants on the porch.

Sunlight caught the glass picture frames and living room windows, scattering tiny reflections that danced across the walls. It promised another bright, warm day in Gator Cove. The morning light was perfect, the kind photographers hoped for before the Florida sun climbed too high and turned everything harsh.

Gigi zipped her camera bag closed, making one last check.

Camera.

Notebook.

Phone.

iPad.

Perfect.

Lena stood near by ready for their adventure.

"Ready?" she asked.

Gigi smiled.

"Always."

Lena glanced at the camera bag.

"I still can't believe the town wants to encourage more walking trails but hasn't done anything about that roundabout."

Gigi nodded.

"People use that crossing every day. Walkers, runners, cyclists..."

"And golf carts."

Gigi sighed.

"That's why we're there."

Lena smiled.

"If a few pictures and one article convince somebody to slow down, it'll be worth the walk."

Adrian looked between them.

"So... we're basically superheroes."

Grace laughed.

"I don't think reporters are superheroes."

"They're close enough."

Kris smiled.

"Just don't expect a cape."

Luke hurried to the front door, already knowing exactly where they were going. His tail wagged so hard his whole body swayed.

A few moments later, Grace, Kris, and Adrian stepped inside.

Adrian proudly held up a bottle of water.

"I volunteered as Hydration Officer. If anybody forgets to drink water, I'm filing a complaint."

Grace laughed.

"I don't think that's a real job."

"It is today."

Kris smiled.

"I think you just wanted an excuse to carry a whistle."

Adrian sighed dramatically.

"I forgot the whistle."

"You can still yell."

"I suppose that'll have to do."

Everyone laughed.

\*\*\*

The six of them started down the walking path.

The younger three naturally drifted ahead while Gigi and Lena settled into conversation behind them. Luke stayed close beside Gigi, occasionally glancing back to make sure everyone was still together. It had become one of his favorite routines.

The trail wound through palm trees, ponds, and quiet neighborhoods.

Lena looked around.

"I don't know why people keep speeding through that roundabout. It's supposed to slow traffic down."

"Hopefully today's article reminds people to pay attention," Gigi replied.

Lena nodded.

"I hope so."

The younger three wandered farther ahead, their laughter carrying back on the warm Florida breeze.

Lena glanced over at Gigi.

"How's Michael doing?"

Gigi was quiet for a moment.

"He sleeps a lot now. Some days I have to wake him just to see if he wants breakfast."

Lena listened without saying a word.

"Some days that's all he has the energy to do."

Gigi sighed.

"I miss sitting on the porch with him. Even if we weren't talking much... we were still together."

Lena gently reached over and took Gigi's hand.

"I'm sorry."

Gigi smiled sadly.

"I know."

For a few moments they simply walked together.

Finally, Lena gave Gigi's hand a gentle squeeze before letting go.

"He'd fuss at us if we forgot why we came out here."

A small smile returned to Gigi's face.

"You're right."

Lena nodded toward the trail.

"Come on. Let's get this article finished before Adrian starts another imaginary job."

Gigi laughed softly.

"The Hydration Officer?"

"The very same."

"I hear he's very strict."

"Oh, absolutely. He'll probably write us both up."

The two women laughed as they continued down the trail, following the sound of Grace, Kris, and Adrian talking ahead.

\*\*\*

Ahead of the others, the younger three enjoyed setting the pace.

Adrian glanced over his shoulder.

"I think we lost them."

Grace laughed.

"We did not."

"They're way back there."

"They've been talking for ten minutes."

Kris smiled.

"They're reporters."

"Oh."

Adrian nodded dramatically.

"That explains everything."

Grace giggled.

"I think they call that working."

"I thought working looked less fun."

Grace pointed toward the pond.

"Look! There's a turtle."

All three stopped.

Kris shaded her eyes.

"I only see a log."

Grace smiled.

"It was a turtle."

Adrian stared at the log.

"If that log moves, I'm running."

"It won't."

"You don't know that."

Kris laughed.

"You were just making fun of us for walking slow."

"I can run fast if a log starts chasing me."

Grace laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone.

"You are impossible."

"I've heard that before."

Kris smiled.

"About five minutes ago."

"I get reminded a lot."

\*\*\*

When they reached the roundabout, the group naturally spread out.

Gigi and Lena crossed toward the opposite sidewalk.

Lena pointed toward the roundabout.

"I want one picture right here. You can see the golf cart crossing behind me."

Gigi lifted her camera.

"Perfect. Hold that pose."

Luke sat beside Gigi, quietly watching the people pass through the crossing. Suddenly he lifted his head toward an approaching golf cart. His ears perked for a moment before settling back down.

Across the road, Grace smiled.

"Kris..."

"What?"

"Go stand by the pond."

"Why?"

"Because the light is pretty."

Kris looked toward the water.

"I suppose that's a good reason."

Grace grinned.

"I always have good reasons."

"That's debatable."

"Smile."

"I am smiling."

"Less suspicious."

Kris laughed.

"Better?"

"Perfect."

Grace snapped another picture.

"See?"

Kris walked over to look.

"...That one actually is nice."

"I know."

A few yards away Adrian stood on the sidewalk looking back toward them.

He waved.

"Hey! Hurry up! You two are going to make us late."

Grace laughed.

"We're already here."

"Then you're making us late for leaving."

Grace laughed.

"That doesn't even make sense."

"It does if you're melting."

Kris looked at him.

"You've been outside twenty minutes."

Adrian dramatically fanned himself with one hand.

"I'm dissolving."

Grace smiled.

"You're so dramatic."

"I prefer heat-sensitive."

Kris shook her head, laughing.

"You're impossible."

"I've heard that before."

Adrian grinned.

"I have excellent company."

He turned toward the golf cart crossing.

From the far side of the roundabout, an older, heavyset man approached in a golf cart, moving far too fast. One hand loosely held a can of beer while the other barely kept the golf cart pointed down the road. Beer cans clinked and rattled across the floorboard with every bump. The cart drifted lazily, wider than it should have, its tires kissing the painted lines.

Adrian took one casual step toward Grace and Kris, still smiling, completely unaware.

The sound of the engine suddenly grew louder.

The golf cart jumped the curb without warning.

Its tires slammed onto the sidewalk.

For one terrible, stretched-out second...

Everything froze.

Adrian looked up.

His smile faltered.

"ADRIAN!" Grace screamed.

The golf cart slammed into him with a sickening thud, throwing his body violently across the pavement like a rag doll.

Time seemed to stop.

Grace's phone slipped from her fingers, striking the sidewalk as she instinctively ran toward Adrian.

Kris stood frozen, her mouth open in silent horror.

Across the road, Gigi dropped her camera.

"Lena!"

Both women sprinted toward him.

Luke barked wildly and shot ahead, his paws pounding against the pavement.

Nobody laughed anymore.

The peaceful morning shattered in an instant.

The only sounds left were Luke's frantic barking...and the hollow rattle of empty beer cans rolling across the sidewalk.