The Rhythm of Evie

This is a character I developed a long time ago when I was still in my screenplay phase. I've now decided that she would make an excellent addition to my fiction. This is a great example of the way I see Write What You Know. Thematic but not specific. Originally, I had planned to write a story about a fictional beach town based on the areas above Ventura that I visited so often growing up. Also, a somewhat villainous character makes an appearance, although I have no definite idea where the mysterious ending is headed. Please enjoy these passages:

"Rhythm. Rhythm was all that she could focus on. All the things she needed to remember in that moment were related to rhythm. The cycle of breathing... head up to one side and take a breath in, head into the water and breathe the air out, then at last, head out to the other side and another breath. The waves of the water lapped up against the edges of the pool and back to the center in a perfect sequence. The motions of arms and legs, her streamlined body, and most of all, the sheer force of her will, her spirit, propelled her back from one end of the pool and forth to the other. It was simply a necessity of exercise, 48 proper laps... not 45, not 50, but an exactly right 48. Simplicity was actually not in the exercise itself, but in what the exercise did for her mind.

A clear mind meant a good connection to her emotions. And that meant it was the right day spiritually for a visit to her uncle's estate. There was always something simply not right about his sanctuary, especially when Uncle Porter was there on-site. That's why Evie never spent any long duration in Summerland. It's also why she kept coming back. The beach, the people, the water, the guilt ridden loyalty to a caretaker's financial position, all of these things continually called to her.

Rhythm. Every movement, every step Evie made seemed measured by some cosmic force. It was as if she knew everything she was supposed to do before she even thought of doing it. And it was beautiful. Evie finished her swim and glided over to the pool stairs. To an observer, she almost rose out of the pool with pure blonde hair bronzed by the water, sparse eyelashes giving way to sparkling eyes, and a face washed clean of any makeup, definitely for the better. Her healthy lips suggested a hidden smile of pearly whites, and there was always a look of happiness about her even if it was not outright.

She could have worn a more accentuating swimsuit with more suggestive colors for the benefit of onlookers. But, a standard one-piece matching the light blue in her eyes suited Evie’s needs just fine. She always prided herself on not being the advertisement, but instead radiating its essence.

Over to her usual poolside table to dry off, Evie then put on her robe and sat for a few minutes. She took in the breeze and the beauty of the nice community pool in her moderately upscale apartment building. Then, evoking some sort of Greek goddess, she walked to her room in her usual way, ever so gentle but ever so confident. Every step was sure, but seemed to float over the surface, as if there would be no footprint left behind.

A short trip to Uncle's and the beach, she thought. Porter Williamson had other ideas, however. Evelyn Thorpe must have known in her spirit, but the rest of her had no idea."