Then I said, “I still wish it was mine.” She laughed and dropped her head, shaking it. Then we both fell silent. We watched the waves watching us. We watched the sun setting over our running into each other. She grew serious and looked me searchingly. Then spoke softly, “In a way, it is.” Her hand reached and rested on my knee. As I moved to put my hand on hers, she reached for her bag, got up and left. Again, I watched her leave, following each small, elegant movement of that fiery little body, until she was out of sight.

Half-way around the world on a ship deep in the bowels of the Atlantic, his phone vibrated. He apologized to his Moroccan guests and went out onto the deck. He stared at the dark ocean. By day, he was lost in this particular shade of Tyndall scattering of light, as if she was returning his gaze. Steadying himself with one hand on the rail, he read her text and looked out over the ocean. Her few words on the screen of his phone filled his heart. He imagined a far-off light on the horizon, perhaps one emanating from her window where she was removing her make-up while she never needed to put it on. He clung to her words like a man overboard; clung before it was said to be a mistake; before regret could set in; before they again arrived at reality’s shore. Being loved by her, even if it was for just five minutes, was enough. It would not be enough for many men, but five minutes would eventually last him a lifetime. Enough that she once looked up when he walked into their apartment. Enough that she once sought his face in a crowd. Enough that she once smiled at him from the bottom of her heart. Enough that she once laughed with him from the pit of her stomach. She exists and that was enough. He typed his reply, “I need you”, but never hit Send. He went back inside to his Moroccan guests and again apologized for his absence. Years later, he still carries Christmas Eve and their brief happiness in his heart. Happiness light as the whisper of wind that brings soft rain, falling and disappearing each year to the ocean floor.