Page 97 - Where the Dream Ends ebook

Staying On

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she said, smiling.

She means it, Liam thought.

“It’s always nice running into people when things quiet
down like this,” she added. “I mean, it’s wonderful to be alone
and all, but sometimes it’s nice to hear another voice, see an-
other person.” Liam could tell she felt awkward.
“Yes,” Liam said. “I know what you mean. How many peo-
ple…of us…are still here?” he asked, making the assumption
of the elderly that because she was young, she knew everything
that was going on.

“Oh, I’d say about seventy-five,” she said, bearing him out.
“A few more will leave next week after the store closes, and
by November 15, when the last weekday ferry stops running,
there’ll be about twenty-five die hards.”

“Are you one of them? A die hard?”
“That depends.”

“On?”

“The weather, my finances, all sorts of things.”

“I see,” Liam said, getting ready to leave. “Well, I’m sure
we’ll run into one another.”

“Yes, I’m sure,” she said. “I’d like that.” She touched the
back of his hand, speckled with brown liver spots.

They parted — she into the store, Liam outside to pile his
groceries on to one of the little red wagons everyone used to
transport their gear around the village. On the way home,
Liam couldn’t help but notice that his body felt a little lighter

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