Every Saturday evening of every summer I can remember up until the summer of 2019, Grandma and I would take a drive to the beach and spend a couple hours on the shore and boardwalk after my long day of work at the local tourist place, Captain Ray’s Souvenir Shop. We would start by setting up our towels and umbrellas on the sand and listen to the lull of the sea. We would watch the sunset painted clouds pass by in silence. Once one of us was tired of the quiet, we’d pack up and walk to the boardwalk. She’d always be indulgent in buying me clothes, food, or anything I pointed to. One time she bought me the prettiest chartreuse sun dress. Then she’d drive me home and we’d do it all again the next Saturday.

The summer of 2019 was my last summer with Grandma.