The umbrella sat stuck in the sand like a person, overseeing today’s festivities. A sparking sun shone with relentless heat and purpose, illuminating the hazy deep browns and blues of the forest. Birds chirped in different meter, making it difficult to distinguish where they were and what they said. People walked hand in hand among the foliage, letting their legs drag against the thick plants that had grown there for hundreds of years. There was laughter, echoes, kisses, and promises made there, on that secret cove with the tightly-packed leaves and stems. At night, above it all, the sun faded into a full, yellow moon, smiling down at the visitors. Although it was humid even then, nobody complained: everyone enjoyed the day and the night with respect.