That was when I saw her walking up the pier

[seeyousoonthen]

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

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[usethecompany]

"Miss Curtis?" Although the island population's modern manners had softened the remnants of Kennedy's strict upbringing and expected custom, the sailor remained loath to intrude upon a private moment. All emotional moments fell under the purview of the private according to the standards he had been taught, but it wounded his heart to pass by such a regularly delightful and happy young lady without a word far more than it offended his sense of propriety to encroach upon her.

"Forgive me, Miss Curtis," he said, taking a knee beside the girl. "But I must know what's wrong and how I might fix it."

[seeyousoonthen]

It did her heart well to know that there were such kind people around, ones who would lift her up when she was low and who would be there for the happier times, too. It was good to remember that here and now was different than her life back home in almost every way.

"It's really nothing, Mr. Kennedy. Just this silly old book," she said as she gestured to it before she reached up to dry her eyes. "Haven't you ever read something that was just so sad? I can't even finish it, to be honest."

[usethecompany]

He had adopted to modern dress more easily and quickly than some, but the custom of carrying a handkerchief never left him. Kennedy offered this to her now, as well as a sympathetic smile.

"I am a voracious reader, Miss Curtis, and I will admit that some stories have been powerful enough to send me to tears. But I find that if the story's any good, the ending will make it worth the struggle. Is yours not so good?"

[seeyousoonthen]

"Oh, it's a beautiful story," she admitted, her voice shaking just a bit. She took time to dry her eyes with his handkerchief and spared a thought on how kind a gesture it was.

"It's just beautiful. It's about a boy I know. Knew. Before here."

[usethecompany]

"Oh," Archie said quietly, though the softness of his tone had little in accord with how surprised he was by the statement. He knew full well how the island population resembled that of a library, but it seemed such a delicate subject that he preferred to tread lightly.

"I'm sorry that his story becomes so sad," he said. "Perhaps it is even better then that you do not finish, if you knew him personally."