Another Man's Treasure

39. I Regret Everything

Nathan~

As I jog along the shore, the early morning sea air fills my lungs, invigorating my senses.
I pause to take in the breathtaking view, and my eyes are met with the warm glow of the sunrise peeking over the horizon.

A second later I close my eyes and see Madison's face.
My actions from last night haunting me, and that's why I just had to step out this morning while she was still asleep.

In the distance, I notice an older man strolling with a dog, their footsteps synchronizing with the gentle lapping of the waves. They eventually settle onto a bench, and I find myself drawn to the serene scene.
I approach the bench and sit down beside them.

The world awakens slowly, and the only sound that breaks the silence is the soft crashing of the waves against the shore.
Time stands still as I take in the beauty of the sunrise.

"Esý amerikanós?" The man asks beside me in Greek.
You american?

I turn my head towards him, looking down at the dog laying by his feet, "Eínai tóso profanés?"
Is it that obvious?

The man lets out a hearty laugh and says to me, "You just look familiar that's all."

He might have seen me on media outlets but I doubt it, people here are still very traditional and nature enthusiasts.

"So what are you doing here in Santorini? On vacation?" He asks.

I nod, staring into the distance. "I'm here with my wife. We're on our honeymoon.

I hear the click of a lighter and turn my head to see he's lighting up a cigarette, "That's amazing, congrats!"

I smile more to myself, "Thank you."

Suddenly he lifts up a bag and places it between us, he opens it and I see it a lunchbag with a big flask in it with one cup, "Would you like some coffee?"

"Black coffee?"

He smiles at me smoking causing me to laugh, and starts removing the lid of the flask that in itself is also a mug, he pours me in the cup and for himself in the other.

"Cheers." We both say in union before taking a sip.

"You remind me of someone I once knew." I suddenly say, thinking of how kind this man is.

"I get that alot." I hear him laugh. "I'm guessing this person was important to you?"

"Yes."

As I look off into the distance, I think of my brother. How such a good man ruined his own life.

"They caused themselves pain. But the past is in the past, there's nothing I can do about it."

"There are some things that just can't be explained, why people do the things they do, why they fight so hard." The man says next to me. "How they don't walk away from what's causing them so much pain."

I turn and glance at him, and Nicholas's words reminded me of that pain.

"At least I don't walk away when shit get tough. She's my wife goddammit, I will help her with all my might."

I close my eyes for a second and then glance back down at my cup of coffee.
I feel so bad for walking out on him when he was going through that.

I regret it.

I regret allowing Delilah kiss me the night she fled.