Urban development stretched endlessly along the coast.
Exposed steel rebar jutted out everywhere.
From every direction, the sounds of construction drifted toward the sea.
Maria Preece sat on the embankment.
She wiped away tears beneath her bangs as the ocean breeze brushed her cheeks.
"I'm still such an idiot…"
A crumpled pocket tissue appeared in front of her.
One of those free tissues handed out in town—
clearly old.
The awkward timing made her laugh, even through her tears.
She took it and gently blew her nose.
Messiah sat down beside her.
Even he could tell—
the sea breeze carried a faint trace of alcohol from him.