The salty wind tousled my faded hair. I braided a careless braid and threw it over my shoulder. The sun glided over the water, tickling the glare of the face. Stretching lazily, I sat down in a sun lounger and looked at the horizon. Several boats skimmed over the waves where the clouds touched the sea.

I got up and went into the house. In the living room, I noticed the blinking light on the answering machine and pressed the button. Brother called. He told how things are going now at his school. Satisfied and busy, he admitted that he really misses me. Tried to return. Then I heard my...