• It was a beautiful late September day and the sun was just beginning to fall. Birds were singing their goodnight songs, and the stars were about to begin their nightly dance across the soon to be dark sky. An old man sat on his rocking chair, watching the sun fall into Japan's tomorrow. A wind blew by waking the old man from his wonderful daydreams of days long past. Daydreams of a happier time. Daydreams of the person who used to sit in the chair next to him when he was still a young boy.
    “Grandpa, will you tell me a story?” sounded a teenage boys voice from the doorway behind him.
    “I'm afraid I don't know many more stories, Hector. I only have the sad stories of my youth that I can tell you now.” said the old man in his rocking chair. He smiled at his grandson and continued speaking, “Something tells me your too young to understand those stories, and your Grandma may get envious if I told you those stories.”
    “Please Grandpa? I wont tell Grandma anything! I swear! If I do you can have the last of the ice cream!” The boy placed his hand over his heart, and then proceeded to sit in the chair besides his Grandfather.
    “Ah, your trying to tempt me with junk food are you? I have taught you well.” The old man said smiling once again after a gentle chuckle. “I only know one story to share, but it is a long one, so you may want some snacks. Make sure you get me some of those chips I like so much!” He yelled after his grandson Hector as the boy ran into the house.
    The old man once again gave his attention to the still darkening sky. The sunset looked the same as it did on that sad day. His heart was breaking just by remembering the events that had happened all those long years ago. It had been nearly 60 years since it had happened and he still hadn't fully recovered. A man of 76, married with children and grandchildren, it was obvious that he had found love again, but those wounds never healed.
    The old man stared off passed the horizon, to his own dark land full of heartbreak and thought of her. Suddenly, without realizing that he was speaking, he said to someone who was not there,
    “Sarah...I miss you”. A single tear rolled down his slightly wrinkled cheek.
    “Hey Grandpa, I've got those chips you like,” The boy sat back in his chair next to his grandfather and passed the chips. “Lets get on with that story, Old man.”
    “How come you never call me Grandpa Nick anymore? I liked it when you used to call me that. And aren't you too old to want to hear one of my old man stories? Wouldn't you rather play one of your video games?” Nick frowned at his grandson. He didn't want to reopen those wounds. He was sure that if he did, he wouldn't be able to heal at all this time.
    “Because Grandpa Nick is too long. And I'm only 15, thats not too old to listen to one of your stories.” The boy replied. Nick felt a small glimmer of happiness knowing that his grandson still had time for him and his stories.
    By now the sun was almost gone, leaving nothing but a trail of pinks, purples, and blues brightening the farthest points of the horizon. The northern star was wakening from it's day time slumber, ready to begin it's nocturnal day. The trees around the house rustled in a slight breeze, waking some bats from their sleep as well.
    “My story is a sad one, full of love and yet full of regret. I was about your age when the wheels of fate began to turn. But sadly they didn't turn in favor of me... or for her...” And just like that, the story of Nicks greatest tragedy began to unfold in the ears of a 15 year old boy.