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Edgar finally released the young woman from his arms, realizing he'd probably been holding her far too long. She stepped back from him and continued to smile, a smile Edgar knew from a thousand years ago. Almost instantly he had flash back of himself and the woman standing in front of him, he a young, strapping 25 year old man and she an awkward little girl, just 13 years of age. She'd been coming around the docks in Pugent Sound since she was about 10 years old, not knowing a single soul. As Edgar would prep the boat to leave for Alaska, he'd always see that same little girl aimlessly wandering the docks, sometimes studying the boats, other times just admiring. And more often than not, he'd catch her staring at him, though whenever he met her gaze dead on she'd immediately find something much more interesting to look at. Eventually he'd gone over and introduced himself.

"Hey kid."

"Hey."

"Whatcha' doin?"

"Nothing much. Just checking out the boats."

"You like boats?"

"Yeah."

"You like to fish?"

"Yeah, but I don't know how to do your kind of fishing. I usually fish for Bass and stuff like that."

"That's cool too."

"Yeah, I guess."

She turned her gaze to the floor and stared at her scuffed sneakers as if they were the most interesting thing in the world. She was feeling shy and more than a little insignificant in his presence.

"Would you wanna learn how to work on a crab boat?"

Edgar remembered how bright her brown eyes had lit up and how she tried to conceal a smile, tugging at the side of her lips. She wasn't the prettiest little girl he'd ever seen. Her hair was usually messy, she had rashy skin and her clothes looked like they'd been picked out from the boys' department. Never the less, he always thought she had the most beautiful brown eyes and a smile so sweet, that only an innocent youth, such as herself, could produce it.

"You would teach me?" she'd ask him, shy and unsure.

"Sure. I mean I can't take you crabbing with me or anything like that, but I can take you around the boat, show you how things operate from the engine room to the wheelhouse. Its important shit... uh sorry... stuff for you to know if you wanna work on a crab boat."

" You really think I could work on a crab boat? Like if I really tried?"

"All you gotta have is the want. Everything else will follow."

And when Edgar had said that, he'd honestly meant it. Why couldn't she someday work on a crab boat. Stranger things had happened.

"Okay show me." she said happily.

And from there Edgar and the little girl had formed a bond. She always came to help Edgar and the crew for whenever they were preparing to leave for Alaska, always "seeing him off" when he finally did leave and always at the docks waiting for him when he came back, no matter what the hour, which sometimes concerned him because it would be late. But still, since Edgar didn't have a girlfriend at the time like the other guys, it was nice to have someone welcome him home. She always carried this little half-assed prepaid cell phone with her which was to be used for emergencies only. But the only time she would actually use it was when Edgar would send her a text, letting her know the day he was leaving for Dutch Harbor or the day he'd return to Pugent Sound. There was even the occasional time when he'd go to the Northwestern, just to get away and he'd text her letting her know, incase she wanted to stop by, which of course, she always did. Other than that though, they'd didn't converse by phone.

Edgar usually found kids to be annoying, especially little girls, but he had to say that this little girl in particular was alright. Definitely an old soul, wise beyond her years. Though Edgar didn't really go out seeking her company,seeing as that might be a considered creepy, he certainly enjoyed having her around. They talked about tons of different things, though Edgar tried to keep it PG, for her sake. He knew she would get frustrated with him at times, for treating her as a child. But that was what she was and Edgar felt he needed to remind her of that sometimes, so she wouldn't build unrealistic hopes about the two of them.

Then they day came when they wouldn't see each other for years to come. It was summertime and the Northwestern was all but ready to set sail for Alaska and harvest Salmon. Edgar sent his ritual text to the little girl, knowing she'd arrive within the hour. When she did come, Edgar knew immediately that something was wrong. She'd been walking with her head down, shoulders slumped, and her eyes had been red from crying, though she'd never admit it to him. His first thought was that someone had done physical harm to her and that he'd have to go kick somebody's ass. But as she approached Edgar, she explained to him that this would be the last time she would see him off. She was moving to Maine, because her farther had been transfered there by his company. By the time Edgar would be done with Salmon, she wouldn't be here to welcome him home. To make matters worse, her parents decided that she really didn't need a cell phone " at such a young age" as they put it, and had taken her phone, leaving her with no communication line to Edgar.

He really was sad to know she was moving, he'd become very fond of her and didn't like to see her sad. He promised her that somehow, they'd meet each other again, though not really believing it. They hugged each other tightly and he stroked her hair. Matt called Edgar through the loud hailer, saying they needed to get a move on. The little girl squeezed Edgar more tightly than before and said

"I love you Edgar."

He hugged her tightly then released her from his grip, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.

"I love you too kid." Edgar replied with a smile, though he meant it in an entirely different way than she did.

And with one more hug and one more kiss, Edgar hopped over the rail and waved goodbye to a broken hearted girl. She waved goodbye back and Edgar was sure she'd stood there until the Northwestern had completely gone out of sight and then maybe even longer than that.

And that was the last time he was to ever see that little girl. Because who he saw in front of him now was no awkward little girl, but a woman. A very, very beautiful woman.

The only remnants of the child lie in the woman's eyes and smile, telling their story of a thousand years ago.