The evening was warm.
He found a nice spot in the dunes where they could lay down and stare up into the darkening sky. This had always been a favourite spot for them. He didn’t know how many years they had been doing it. Too many to remember.
They lay chatting and laughing in low whispers. The sky was completely black now, with a million pin points of light to look at. The wash of nearby waves were a background to the array of stars. Hours passed off into the night.
Finally, the light-hearted mood changed abruptly when she turned her head. “Do you ever think about death?”
“No, not really” he replied. The subject took him by surprise. “I guess I don’t really want to think about it.”
“You should.”
“Should I?”
“Yes, but it’s OK. I understand.”
Tears welled up in his eyes. He felt foolish. He brushed them away and gave an insane giggle as he did it.
“You’re laughing?”
“Yes, sorry.”
“But why? What is it?”
“I just can’t believe you’re gone.”
