Since I lost my job last month, I walk each day along the waterfront promenade. I never imagined that my summer would end up like this: jobless, alone, and miserable. In my purse I always bring a book with me. When my legs get tired, I sit by the sea and read. It's like having a best friend whenever you need one. At least, I know I feel less alone.

As I look in front of me, I see a man sitting on a bench with a book. He seems like he’s stuck in the dark. I have seen him several times here before, but he never looked up from his book. This time he looks up and looks at the view, keeping an eye on a small boat far out in the distance. I try to see what kind of book he is holding, but his other hand hides the title. Maybe his best friend is his book too.

He is quite young, also. Maybe in his 30s. He is perhaps nearly 6'7" tall, almost bald, with large blue eyes and a small nose. He seems so thin and a little frail. I remember the other day I saw him; he was wearing a thick shirt in 95-degree weather. He didn’t seem bothered.

A little child kicks a ball, and it strikes the man on the shin. Suddenly he looks up, smiles at the little child, picks up the ball and says: "Hi buddy, is this yours?" The child nods and runs towards him. He throws the ball to the kid, but the child fails to catch it, and the ball rolls into the sea. The little boy runs after the ball, and I run after him, afraid he may fall into the water. He suddenly stops at the edge and screams: "No! My ball! Help!" I look around me and can’t see anyone in the sea to help pick up the ball. "I will help you, don’t worry," I say to the little boy. I carefully try to climb down the rocks. The ball floats a bit further, and I can’t reach it from here.

"Hey! Do you want me to jump in the sea, or should I?"

I startle. All of a sudden, I see that he’s standing there — the man who was sitting on the bench.

"Hi! Thanks for asking. I… unfortunately have a job interview later today and would rather not get soaking wet… Would you mind swimming after the ball?"

"Oh, you know what… I forgot to bring a towel and a change of clothes. Where is the kid’s parent?" he said.

The little boy looks around and begins running to his mom.

"Seems like he has found her," I said.

Just as I was climbing back up, I heard some splashes from the water. I look behind me and see a couple of teenagers swimming in the sea.

"Hi guys! Would you please throw me the ball over here?" I screamed as I waved my arms.

One of the teenagers swims towards the ball and throws it to me. I catch the ball and run after the little boy. The mother of the little boy drops her shoulders as she points towards me and says: "See, that’s your ball!" I get a big hug from the little boy.

The man from the bench comes towards me.

"Saved the day!"

He laughs and continues:

"So what is your name?"

"Amanda is my name. What about you?" I ask.

"Tyler. Nice to meet you."

We walk toward the corner shop right beside us.

"I am so thirsty in this heat. I'm going to grab a cold drink. Would you like one, Amanda?"

"I will join you, thank you."

As we walk with a Coke in our hands, I notice him suddenly limping a bit on one of his legs.

"Are you hurting? Do you want to sit down?" I ask.

"Yes, my leg hurts a little. Maybe we can sit a while on the bench."

I sit down next to him.

"So what kind of book are you reading?" I ask.

"Right now I am reading “Flowers for Algernon,” written by Daniel Keyes."

"I also love to read. Lately, I've been coming here with a book to read."

His gaze drifts toward a seagull picking at a piece of bread. For a moment, it’s like he has forgotten our conversation. I look at him and he makes eye contact.

"Can I ask why lately?" he asks.

"Yes, unfortunately I lost my job due to corporate downsizing in the engineering field. I'm applying around, hoping to get something before summer is up."

He nods.

"I understand. But one thing I have never understood is why people want to work as employees in companies in this short life we have. Why waste our life making money for others?"

"As long as I get paid well and fairly for the work I put in, I'm happy," I said.

"You and others have been brainwashed by society. The easiest path is not necessarily the right one."

I give a slight cough.

"It’s not a matter of being brainwashed. You see, we all need to earn a living. So what are you doing?"

He looks at the sea and his smile is gone. He checks the time and says:

"Make sure you don't forget your interview today!"

The following afternoon I hurry along the waterfront promenade and make my way over to the bench. Today I got a new book with me in my purse. I look at the bench, but it’s empty. I sit down on the bench and open my book. I hear footsteps. I feel my heartbeat faster. I look up. That’s not Tyler.

I look at the corner shop we were at yesterday and in the shadow of the biggest tree. There is no sign of him. My heart sinks. I look down and read the same page over again. I look down at my watch and put my book in my purse again. As I stand up I hear a voice behind me:

"Amanda!"

I look behind. My heart skips a beat.

"Hi Tyler!"

He breathes heavily, seeming as if he has run for miles. His face looks like he hasn’t slept for days. His eyes, usually bright blue, are now red and tired.

"Oh. Actually, I need to rest my legs a little. Would you sit by the waterfront?"

I let my eyes linger on him.

"Are you OK?" I ask.

He looks down at his feet.

"Mhm. I had some pain in my legs today. But it’s better now."

"I understand. We can go and rest by the waterfront."

As we sit by the waterfront, I notice he gazes longingly at the sea. He takes a deep breath and takes a sip of water.

"You know, there is something special about the sea," he says.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I mean… it comforts you in its strange way. Somehow it makes us feel that our own problems are not so serious after all."

"Fair point. Is that the reason you come here every day?"

He looks at me, and it's as if his gaze confirms what I asked. He takes a deep breath and continues:

"I feel like the sea helps us confront the unknown. It makes us feel less scared, if you see what I mean."

"Scared of what?"

He looks at his hands.

"Of not being able to live life the way you want."

His smile never quite reaches his eyes.

A few days later, I hurry to the waterfront promenade. This time I leave my book at home. I pass lots of people as I walk along. I glance over at the bench. Tyler is already there, sitting and observing the people around him. He isn’t reading a book today either. My steps quicken as I walk toward him. His face lights up when he catches sight of me.

"Hello! You look lovely today, as always," he says.

"Hi! Thanks. This time you got here before me."

"Yes. I actually brought you a book, if you want it..."

"So kind of you. Which book?"

"It’s a surprise. I’ll put it in your purse!"

He laughs playfully and slips the book into my purse.

"Promise me you’ll read it!"

"I promise," I say.

I find myself losing track of time and place whenever I am in his company.

"I have some good news to tell you!" I say with the biggest smile.

"Is that so? Tell me."

"Remember how I had a job interview the very first day we met?"

"Yes, I do. What happened?"

"I got the job!"

"Really? I’m so proud of you!"

He gives me a big hug that lingers for a moment. For a brief moment, I think this might be the best day of my life.

He looks deep into my eyes and smiles.

"So, what kind of job is it?"

"An energy engineer."

"So cool! I’m really happy for you."

Tyler picks up his water bottle and splashes a little cold water on me.

"You are crazy!" I say, unable to stop laughing.

I grab my own water bottle and splash some water back at him.

"We both are!" he laughs.

We keep laughing and our water bottles are almost empty.

Suddenly, his face turns pale. He presses a hand against his stomach.

"Tyler? Are you OK?" I ask.

"I'm fine," he says, though his face grows even paler.

He slowly sits down and breathes heavily.

"What’s happening? Where does it hurt?"

"My stomach."

"Should I call for help?"

He slowly shakes his head and bends forward, clutching his stomach.

"No, Amanda."

He hides his face in his hands for a few seconds. When he finally looks up at me, there is a tear in his eye.

"I should have told you from the beginning," he says hesitantly. "I’m sorry I didn’t."

"What’s going on?"

"I have stage 4 stomach cancer."

It is as if the world around me stops for a moment. Suddenly, everything falls into place: the thick sweater in the summer heat, his red, tired eyes, our conversations about life, his fragile body.

"Why didn’t you tell me earlier?"

"I didn’t want you to pity me," he looks down. "someone who was sick."

I feel my heart sink. My eyes fill with tears.

"I am not afraid of dying, Amanda. I just want to live life the best I can."

I place my hand on his shoulder as I stare out at the sea.

Some days later I hurry to the waterfront promenade. I weave through the crowd and glance toward the bench, hoping Tyler is already there. The bench is empty. I sit down. Our conversation from the last time we met still lingers in my mind. I know Tyler is strong. He’ll make it. My eyes keep searching for him. I’m sure he’s just running late. He’ll be here soon. The book Tyler gave me is still in my purse.

Ten minutes pass. Then twenty. I still can’t see Tyler.

I take the book out of my purse. As I open it, a small folded letter slips onto the ground. I unfold it and begin to read.

Amanda,

The day will come when I no longer sit on that bench.

Not because I wanted to, but because heaven called me home.

I hope this book will take my place on the bench beside you.

You should know I still read with you from above.

There is no reason to be sad.

Just look at the sea, and you will find a part of me there.

Tyler

I look at the sea and whisper to myself: summer was over, and so were we.