Gradually, my shoulders relaxed.
For the first time since losing him, I felt myself participating in life again.
When the music ended, I thanked Thomas, and he bowed his head.
We were leaving the floor when someone cleared his throat behind us.
A young crew member stood there, nervously twisting his hands.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you. I wondered if I might have a dance with you, too.”
“Have we met?” I asked.
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“No, ma’am. But I worked under your husband when I first joined the ship.” He swallowed. “I was homesick, and I was failing at everything. I was going to quit. Captain noticed. He took time out of his day to talk to me. Every week, until I found my feet.”
“Your husband was kind to me when I needed it most,” he said. “I never got to tell him how much that meant. Would you let me have