“It was a public holiday,” James told his granddaughter. “Many had the day off work.”
He opened a gate. They entered.
“She and I were classmates,” he continued.
“Were you in love with her?”
“I was, but she cared for another. They got engaged, set a wedding date. When it happened...”
“What?” the granddaughter interrupted.
“An overloaded paddle-steamer capsized and sank. Close to two hundred died.”
“Were you onboard, Grandpa?”
“No, I had to help on the farm.”
They stopped at two graves linked by an overhead arch.
He placed his hand on her lichen-encrusted tombstone, tears filling his eyes.
He opened a gate. They entered.
“She and I were classmates,” he continued.
“Were you in love with her?”
“I was, but she cared for another. They got engaged, set a wedding date. When it happened...”
“What?” the granddaughter interrupted.
“An overloaded paddle-steamer capsized and sank. Close to two hundred died.”
“Were you onboard, Grandpa?”
“No, I had to help on the farm.”
They stopped at two graves linked by an overhead arch.
He placed his hand on her lichen-encrusted tombstone, tears filling his eyes.
