The sea wind was cool as James stepped into the lighthouse garden.
Elaine was already there, seated on a stone bench beneath the olive trees. She wore a soft blue sundress, her hair in a loose braid, hands folded calmly in her lap.
He approached slowly, holding nothing.
She didn't rise.
“I thought I said goodbye," she said.
“You did."
“Then why are you here again?"
James sat on the far end of the bench, not too close.
“I've been working in Lisbon," he said. “The new shelter is breaking ground next month."
She nodded. “Good."
He hesitated. “I left flowers at the bakery. Didn't sign them."
“I know they were from you."
“I donated ovens to the orphanage," he added.
“I know that, too."
Silence.
He pulled a folded sheet of paper from his jacket. “I came because I wanted to agree t
