A Seasonal Song by Dan Shaskin & Deb Wesloh
Genres: Adult, Contemporary,
Discover love and music in the sultry streets of Miami with “A Seasonal Song.”
Clarissa Bianchi, a talented violinist, lands her dream internship with the Miami Orchestra, but little does she know that she will also discover the love of her life. Jack Williams, a rugged rock guitarist with a broken heart, meets Clarissa and is instantly drawn to her beauty and passion for music. Despite their different musical backgrounds, their mutual love for music brings them together on a journey filled with passion, growth, and unforgettable memories.
As the summer draws to a close, Clarissa and Jack must navigate their intense feelings for each other and determine if their love is strong enough to withstand the distance between Miami and Boston. Will their hearts play a different song, or will the romance come to an end?
“A Seasonal Song” is a love story that will leave you humming a sweet tune long after you turn the last page.
Current Year
Clarissa gazed at the horizon as she sat on the
beach. The breeze provided little relief from the oppressive heat and humidity.
Her cotton shirt clung to the contours of her body as sweat dripped down the
back of her neck. The wind and humidity disheveled her long brunette hair.
She paused and whispered under her breath. “Here I am, again.
Back in Miami.”
They say history repeats itself. From her perspective, she
concurred.
So much heartache, so much love, and such beautiful memories.
The smell of the ocean brought a tear to her eye. The tear slowly trickled down
her cheek, dropping from her chin into the ocean.
She smiled as she thought of her last summer in Miami. Some
would categorize it as a summer fling, but the passion and intense emotions
they shared were real.
Jack was twenty-seven and designed custom yachts. She was
twenty-one, a sophomore at Berklee College of Music. An unlikely pair, but
perhaps their paths collided for a reason.
She strolled to the water’s edge. The sand stuck to her feet,
leaving deep imprints on the beach. The waves crashed against her legs,
throwing her slightly off balance. She steadied herself as she walked back to
her towel.
Her mind drifted back to her job last summer at the Purple
Penguin Café. Where it all began.
As she remembered when she first met Jack, her heart pounded
in her chest and her breathing became slightly labored.
Last summer at 6:30 p.m. on June 25th Jack walked
into The Purple Penguin. She chided her silliness for remembering the exact
date and time, but she did, and the memory was as crisp as if it had happened
yesterday.
Last year
All teal chairs and tables were occupied at the
eclectic-furnished café. Loud conversations inundated the room.
Several people waved, trying to get her attention. She was exhausted,
and her feet ached. She wished her shift would end.
As she served a table, he entered the café and waited to be
seated.
A table soon opened, and the hostess assigned him to her
section. She finished serving her current table and approached him, greeting
him warmly.
“Hi. My name is Clarissa. What can I get for you?”
His warm brown eyes glanced up from the menu and met hers.
“Hi, nice to meet you, Clarissa.”
It surprised her to hear her name. Although she always
introduced herself, the customers rarely repeated her name.
“What’s in that silver penguin shaker thing I saw you take to
the other table?”
“Shake Your Penguin,
our signature cocktail. It’s a mix of Absolut Vodka, pomegranate juice,
lime soda, and berries. It’s very popular and tastes great. I should know. I’ve
sampled a few of them.” She winked and laughed.
He smiled. “I’ll take your word for it. Let’s start with one
of those Shaky Penguin things.”
She returned a few minutes later with his drink.
He took a sip. “Wow, this is good!” Jack continued.
“Listening to your accent, you don’t seem to be from around here. Sorry, I
don’t mean to pry. You don’t have to tell me anything if you don’t want.”
Clarissa laughed, “It’s okay. The short answer is, I’m from everywhere.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
“Well, when I was growing up, I was an Army brat. Between the
ages of two and nineteen, I lived in eight states, and three years in
Stuttgart, Germany.”
Jack smiled at her. “Sie
müssen dann fließend Deutsch sprechen?”
Clarissa smiled. “Yes, I speak
German, but fluent is an exceptionally
strong word. Let’s just say I can
converse in German with few errors.”
She found him intriguing. Perhaps
it was the warm manner he talked to her. She calculated he was slightly older
than her, maybe in his late twenties. He had a sincere smile and kind eyes.
“Most of our clientele are tourists
and stay at the Purple Penguin Hotel next door,” she said. “We don’t get many
locals. Are you from around here?”
“I’m originally from Boerne, Texas,
just northwest of San Antonio. I’ve lived in Miami for five years. A business
client is staying at the Penguin
Hotel. I just dropped him off, saw the restaurant, and here I am. Never
been here before.”
“How’d you get from Texas to Miami
Beach?” she asked.
“I’ve always loved the ocean.
Growing up, I spent my weekends in Aransas
Pass hanging out on the beach. I’m experienced in construction, saw an
opening in Miami, and here I am.”
Sounds like a great love story!!
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