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The Man in the Sand & Hearts with the Sea. Part 2 of 2.
The conclusion of a First Line Fiction Story for Prompt# 33
The Mediterranean sparkled during the next several days, and so did Lauren’s spirit. Meeting Archie as she addressed him, which he adored, Lauren felt as though she’d returned to her grandfather’s company in San Diego, sitting and listening to his stories of Navy days and America when it was robust with beauty, hope, and optimism.
They met at Pietro’s, indulged in too many pastries, a coffee and a refill, then walked the stone streets where she’d spilled her sad stories of love betrayed to the quiet, patient and never-judging sweet, older man.
Lauren learned that Archie was widowed and had four children, three boys and a girl, all grown with families of their own. Scattered across the globe, he ached at seeing them not enough but loved them entirely. She’d found out a lot about the man and smiled as Archie recounted a rich and pleasant life, but she hadn’t found him on the beach again, building longer legs, and he remained mum about the woman who held his heart captive. Lauren longed to probe him deeper about the most beautiful woman he’d ever known.
After the third morning of strolling the ancient, narrow streets and listening to Lauren’s continuing anguish over her…
