Letters from the Harbor — 3. A Place to Begin
An archivist follows a correspondence through a coastal town. A three-chapter sample series.
The bench was under a canvas sheet behind a stack of faded signs. Its blue paint had become the color of a winter sky, but the wood was sound.
The harbor master let them bring it to the museum for restoration. As they lifted one end, a small tin fell from the underside. Inside were postcards, a photograph, and a note asking whoever found them to keep the pair together.
Ben sat on a crate and read the note twice. His grandfather had told him many stories about the harbor. This was one he had kept for himself.
Theo waited without asking questions. At last Ben handed him the photograph. The two men in it looked older than they had beside the freshly painted bench, and every bit as happy.
‘Let’s put it back,’ Ben said.
Through the open door, sunlight reached the harbor clock for the first time that week. There were still letters to read, and a place to prepare for them.