The flames leached the last of his anger. Spring frogs filled the quiet with a chorus of peeping. Small splashes betrayed furtive turtles, terrapins, and bass. For the first time in a long time, Benjamin knew serenity, felt he was part of the world around him. In that moment, her tender hand touched his shoulder.

 

“Are you all right?”

​

He looked up into the face of a woman perhaps three times his age dressed in a light summer gown, her white hair undone and falling to her waist, lifted by the breeze. The firelight gave her a golden glow.

​

She smiled then, a calming smile. Relieved, not amused. Reassuring, not mocking. “I see I’ve startled you. May I sit?”

​

He gained his feet and indicated his own seat, but instead she sat on the sand across from him. Sand covered the wet hem of her day gown as well as her bare feet like sugar on pastries.

​

“Benjamin Willis,” he introduced himself with a bow.

​

“Yes, Benjamin,” she said with mild surprise. “How have you been since last we met?”