Brenda turned and wiggled her hips at me then gave one a slap. “Glad you like it.”

“I like it all.”

She zipped the suitcase up and sat it against the wall. Lying next to me, her face resting on her palm, elbow on the bed, she lazily rubbed a finger over my breast as she looked down at me. “How did I get so lucky yesterday?” Her hand slipped under my t-shirt.

Hand in hand, we walked along the edge of the water. Brenda stopped and jumped and as she landed, the water splashed high.

I laughed and jumped. “You win.” I exclaimed. My splash was far smaller than hers was.

She rested her hand over my hips and pulled me against her. “Great day.” It was too, probably in the top ten days of my life. We continued our walk in silence, an occasional glance, and a smile. Sometimes we would swing our locked hands back and forth. We were just enjoying each other. It was obvious that we both were having a nice time.

Suddenly she kissed me, and then pulled off her clothes, tossing them to me before running into the water. I watched as she floated on her back in the shallow water over the sandbar just off shore. A large wave broke on top of her making her disappear for a moment. I knew she would disappear tomorrow for real. I tossed her clothes and mine on the sand and joined her in the waves. The water above the sandbar shallow enough that we could lie down. The salt water on her body tasted good as I kissed her skin.

The next morning after breakfast, I put her suitcase in the car. We embraced, held each other, and then kissed. She pulled back. “I wish I had more time, I don’t.” She kissed me again. As she got in the car, her lips moved, but I could not hear what she had said. She backed out the driveway, backing out of my life, and we waved to each other for the last time.

In the bedroom, I found her swimsuit lying neatly on the bed, still damp, still smelling like her. I put it on and walked out to the water. Sitting in the waves, waves lapping against me, I thought about her as I read her letter one more time.

My darling Karen, it is a cruel joke to have a few weeks to live and then find the love of your life. At least we had these few days. It makes me feel good to have known you. Love Brenda.