That was when I saw her walking up the pier
Savannah had found the book a few days ago and had, of course, cracked it open. The very first line made her eyes sting and tear. Surely it couldn't really be John's story. But that very first line, My name is John Tyree. I was born in 1977, and I grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, she just knew and she had to keep reading. Even against her better judgment, she had to keep reading. It was painful and yet enlightening to know John's thoughts and feelings. To know more about his dad. To know about his service. That part was interesting. There were some strange things, such as the repeated mentions of her being a brunette. But other parts? Other parts were so intimate they hurt. What hurt the most, though, was reading the things she had told him. Private things.
When you’re struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it’s just as hard as what you’re going through. She remembered that as clearly as if it were yesterday. Those four weeks of her life had changed her forever.
And then there was her letter. She had sent it the day she had found herself here. It had been, she was certain both then and now, the right and proper thing to do. Her relationship with Tim had been blossoming and time and distance were the enemy. But to read the words once again-
The problem with time, I’ve learned, is eventually time always runs out. I have no idea where you are out there in the world John. But I understand that I lost the right to know these things long ago. No matter how many years go by, I know one thing to be as true as ever was-I’ll see you soon then.
But there was no "see you soon then'. Not now and not according to the book. She read how John felt. What he thought. How he'd lived his life and become a career soldier. She read on and found her future. John came to visit her after so many years and she read as she revealed what her life had become. Tim had cancer. The horse camp she had dreamed of since she was a little girl went bust. The mounting medical bills crippled them with debt. And it fell to her to care for Alan. She drank. She was...sad. She was defeated. It was a shock to read her words that she had not said, words that revealed her deepest thoughts.
“Is that what you wanna hear, John? Is that why you came all this way to hear from me? You think it was tough out there? and what.. you think it was easy for me without you? You thought that every single day wasn’t a god damn marathon of my life without you? Tim was sick! He was sick and he needed me. He needed me to help him. He needed me to help him with Alan.. with everything! I was alone and I had no idea what I was doing! I didn’t plan this.. I didn’t know it was gunna happen to me, but it did. But you don’t think I tried.. I picked up the phone a thousand times and I tried to call you. You think I really wanna be standing here in front of you like this?”
She couldn't read anymore after that. She drank. She swore. She wondered if she had lost all faith, faith in God and faith in life. It was...terrible.
She had come to the beach to read the book and learn what she could about John and herself and she couldn't bring herself to finish it. She didn't want to know the end because from what she could tell...there would be no happy ending for one Miss Savannah Lynn Curtis in the world she had come from. If she wanted a happy ending she would need to make one for herself here.
[Savannah's been canon punctured, poor girl. Find her crying on the beach with the book in her lap. Despite her tears it's not a bad time at all to meet her. She's in a good place for making new friends.]
When you’re struggling with something, look at all the people around you and realize that every single person you see is struggling with something, and to them, it’s just as hard as what you’re going through. She remembered that as clearly as if it were yesterday. Those four weeks of her life had changed her forever.
And then there was her letter. She had sent it the day she had found herself here. It had been, she was certain both then and now, the right and proper thing to do. Her relationship with Tim had been blossoming and time and distance were the enemy. But to read the words once again-
The problem with time, I’ve learned, is eventually time always runs out. I have no idea where you are out there in the world John. But I understand that I lost the right to know these things long ago. No matter how many years go by, I know one thing to be as true as ever was-I’ll see you soon then.
But there was no "see you soon then'. Not now and not according to the book. She read how John felt. What he thought. How he'd lived his life and become a career soldier. She read on and found her future. John came to visit her after so many years and she read as she revealed what her life had become. Tim had cancer. The horse camp she had dreamed of since she was a little girl went bust. The mounting medical bills crippled them with debt. And it fell to her to care for Alan. She drank. She was...sad. She was defeated. It was a shock to read her words that she had not said, words that revealed her deepest thoughts.
“Is that what you wanna hear, John? Is that why you came all this way to hear from me? You think it was tough out there? and what.. you think it was easy for me without you? You thought that every single day wasn’t a god damn marathon of my life without you? Tim was sick! He was sick and he needed me. He needed me to help him. He needed me to help him with Alan.. with everything! I was alone and I had no idea what I was doing! I didn’t plan this.. I didn’t know it was gunna happen to me, but it did. But you don’t think I tried.. I picked up the phone a thousand times and I tried to call you. You think I really wanna be standing here in front of you like this?”
She couldn't read anymore after that. She drank. She swore. She wondered if she had lost all faith, faith in God and faith in life. It was...terrible.
She had come to the beach to read the book and learn what she could about John and herself and she couldn't bring herself to finish it. She didn't want to know the end because from what she could tell...there would be no happy ending for one Miss Savannah Lynn Curtis in the world she had come from. If she wanted a happy ending she would need to make one for herself here.
[Savannah's been canon punctured, poor girl. Find her crying on the beach with the book in her lap. Despite her tears it's not a bad time at all to meet her. She's in a good place for making new friends.]