t few days settling

a bad leg and a Coast Guard pension were scarce. He put in applications for dock work, for crewin

ysical therapy exercises,

bin, the silence broken only by the

times in town. She

radiant local politician, and Liam, h

bout Ethan' s sudden departure. Ab

the narrative, painting E

general store picking up some grocer

o another. "Her husband just up and left her. Right when her brother arr

ed. "Poor Sarah. She' s got so much on h

oceries, his face imp

campaign

their old computer to search for job listings furthe

ured veterans. Offering retrai

oast, north of Port Grace. It involved data collection, equipment maintenance, and logistic

an had in

ed by a Dr. Maya Che

it offered a way out of Port Grace, a way to earn a d

fternoon meticulously fil

wimmer qualifications, his familiarity with small

rce or the local gossip. He focuse

lt a flicker of something he ha

ere was a knock

ah. Alone

d tired,

me in?" s

ted, then st

With both of them in

in the sparse furnishings, the sing

no place for you to live,

mporary,

she said, getting straight to the po

alk to your lawy

h said, frustration creeping into her voice. "T

into our finances last time," Ethan thou

unt," Sarah said, her eyes not quite meetin

tightened. He kne

er voice gaining a familiar, slightly defensive tone. "A way to reall

r his?" Ethan

s! He was going to... he explained

ount?" Ethan asked, though

"Yes. I... I transferred the funds to him

counting on for the fis

he same manipulation, the same

er, but he pushed it down.

d, his voice dangerously quiet. "And it

ll pay it back! With interest! He promised! This is going to

eration in her eyes, the despera

ofound sense

arah," he said. "For you

cation he' d submitted. It wa

all?" h

his calm. She had probably e

g her face. "I... I just wanted to b

an said. He opened the cabi

ed out, a confused, hurt

her go, then c

is own. Mor

It had to come through. I

er, Ethan rece

rom Dr.

ith the Alaskan Coastal Marine Survey. Your qualifications are impressive. We w

ee times, a slow smile s

rview.

plied, confirming

e, things were s