The morning comes too soon for Eilis when she hears a knock at the door. Walking down lazily she opens the door to see a beaming Nancy.

"So?" Nancy says and pushes her way in.

"Nancy, what are you doing here this early?"

"If you had any sense you would look at the clock and notice it isn't early." Nancy laughs.

Ellis looks over at the mantle and sees it's nearly 11 in the morning. She doesn't remember the last time she slept this long.

"Are you alright hun?" Her friend asks.

"Yeah."

"So?" Nancy asks again.

Eilis frowns unsure of what Nancy is asking of her.

Rolling her eyes, Nancy sighs.

"How was last night?"

Images from last night's walk flood Eilis' mind. The park. The tears. The discomfort. The comfort. The warmth of his hand on her cheek. She can't help but blush.

"What are you talking about Nancy?" Ellis says feigning innocence.

"Don't play dumb silly. Jim walked you home last night did he not?" Nancy points out.

"Yes. But that's it."

"Sure it is."

"Nance. I have a husband and children." Ellis says in exasperation not fully awake yet for her friend.

"Whatever you say. We're taking the kids to the beach today, you want to join us?"

"That sounds good." Eilis says hoping that the company of children and the salty breeze will take her mind off of a certain gentleman.

Not long after the family of five and Eilis walk barefoot in the grass. The children giggle as the grass tickles their small feet and it brings joy to Eilis' face, reminding her of Rosie and Frankie.

They take up a spot at the beach and let the kids roam at the edge of the sea, George joins them not long after, leaving the two young women to enjoy some peace and quiet.

"You've been quiet Eilis." Nancy begins.

Eilis laughs. "I think your perception of me has changed. I've always been quiet, don't you remember?"

"Yes, but we aren't fifteen anymore. You've changed, I've changed. You became confident."

"Hardly."

"You should give yourself more credit. Let me rephrase. You became more confident than you were before you ever left for America."

Ellis doesn't say anything because she knows Nancy is right to a certain degree.

"It's not easy being back here."

"Because of Jim?"

"Nancy. Not everything is about Jim! Ireland just has too many reminders of things I thought I moved on from. My mother. My sister. My uselessness. All of it."

"I didn't mean to offend you, sorry."

"It's fine." Ellis cools off.

They talk for hours more.

"I should get the kids home. George has to go for a shift at work. You want to join me?" Nancy asks.

Eilis is about to say yes when an image flashes in front of her. It's a younger version of her, Nancy, George and Jim laughing at the beach, all dressed in swimsuits.

"I think I'll stay longer if you don't mind."

"Go ahead. I'll see you soon?" Nancy asks.

"Of course."

Eilis watches the family disappear in the distance and lays back down on the sandy ground. Closing her eyes she tries to think of nothing but instead all she can think about is Jim's hand in hers, the silent conversation that always passed between their eyes. How he could evoke the shy-girl in her she could never understand. Tony evoked the confident woman inside her.

"The beach hasn't changed much." A voice says quietly from behind her and Eilis quickly sits up.

"I didn't mean to scare you." The man, Jim, smiles.

"I...I didn't realize you were here. You didn't scare me. What are you doing here?" Ellis says all this in a jumble and Jim just raises his eyebrows.

"I like to take walks on the beach." He looks down at the sand. She notices his socks and shoes are off and in his hand. He gently places them beside her hat.

Before she can think of anything to say Jim speaks again.

"Would you...like to join me?" He asks unsurely and so quietly that Eilis was sure she had misheard and her mind was playing tricks on her.

"If you don't mind? I have been sitting here for a few hours, a walk seems like a refreshing idea." Eilis says and Jim offers her a hand. She places hers in his hand and he pulls her up.