A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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Bryanwas sitting on his lifeguard tower.

"Hey, there," she called. "Can I come up?" He smiled down at her. "Sure."

She climbed the ladder,then sat down beside him. "So, rescued anyone today?" "Not yet.Pretty quiet." He touched the tip of her nose with his finger. "I guess you've been painting."
"Yeah.Guess I should have looked in the mirror before I left the house."

"Well, it's pink. People will just think you're sunburned." "Right."

"So, what did you do inMaine ?" "I was visiting a friend."

"You left kind of suddenly, didn't you?" "Kind of."

"School will be starting soon," he remarked. "I sure hate to see summer end."

"Me, too."She gazed out at the ocean. There was something almost hypnotic about watching the waves. She had always loved the ocean. Endless and deep, sometimes calm, sometimes wild with energy, a vast, ever-changing sea that was home to thousands of creatures from tiny sea horses to gentle whales and man-eating sharks.

"Are you busy tonight?"Bryan asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so."

"Are you seeing him?" There was no mistaking the hard edge of jealousy inBryan 's voice. "Yes."

"He's no good for you. Why do you insist on going out with that man? There's something about him. Something not right."

"Oh,Bryan ."

"Don't patronize me. Just because you're older doesn't mean you're wiser." "I didn't say that, but Dominic's a good man."

Bryansnorted derisively.

"Maybe I'd better go."