“Pardon me, ma’am,” a voice broke into the silence that surrounded the pretty young woman who sat on a bench facing Independence Hall in Philadelphia. “Do you happen to have the time?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBxn9HUYh1w
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Looking up into the face of the sailor who stood before her, Eloise Withers felt a sudden jolt of expectation run through her. She didn’t know what it was or why but there was an instant connection that brought the two strangers together. He was a handsome man with brown hair cut in military-style and playful hazel eyes that echoed the cockeyed smile playing across his lips. Without hesitation, she glanced down at the heart-shaped clock pendant pinned to her jacket’s lapel. “It’s just twelve-thirty,” she responded as her own soft smile met his.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡURe5bUzcRf
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“Plenty of time. Thank you, ma’am.” Replacing the Navy Officer’s Cap he had been clutching in his hands onto his head, he turned to leave. After a minute or two of silence had passed, he turned back to her with a sudden request. “Ma’am, I was wondering, if you weren’t doing anything just now, if you would like to show a stranger in town around?”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomOhOpn1XA
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“Perhaps, if I knew a stranger’s name, it could be possible,” Eloise answered with a grin beginning to show at the corners of her lips. Of course she wanted to show him around but couldn’t resist the urge to tease him just a little bit. It wasn’t really in her nature to tease but, feeling so comfortable at short acquaintance with this man, she couldn’t help herself.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonyDtZXLeG
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“Durham, Petty Officer Third Class, ma’am,” he responded, doffing his hat again. “But I also answer to just plain Seth when I’m in the company of friends and family.”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRRBAogW0k
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“In that case, Withers, Eloise and, if you want to get on my right side, you can drop the ‘ma’am’.” There was a unexpected chuckle in her voice as she gleefully chortled out her introduction. It wasn’t normal for her to be so forthcoming with a man she had just met but this was certainly an exception to the rule.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Jz4AutWom
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It was a golden spring afternoon of exploration. The city of Brotherly Love had plenty of places to visit. Eloise chose the historical ones for her unexpected guest. After Independence Hall, they moved on to The Betsy Ross House, The Benjamin Franklin House, the First Post Office and the Philadelphia Mint. Sometime during the day, they linked hands as though they were a couple who had been together for more than just a few hours. By the time they grabbed dinner at a random restaurant with an unrecallable name, they were in love.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2ej18Kuif
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Discovering a movie theater along their route showing “Meet Me in St. Louis”, they decided on the spur of the moment to step inside. When Judy Garland began to sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, Seth reached out to squeeze Eloise’s hand. Leaning in toward her ear, he whispered, “This is my all-time favorite Christmas song.” Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered back that it was hers also. From that time on, every time she heard the song, her heart pinged in memory of that delightful day.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5EBOJjfJd
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In the twilight, they stood beside the same bench they had become acquainted at earlier in the day. Eloise felt a tugging at her heart at the thought of parting from Seth; she hated to say good-bye. A sudden feeling gripped her telling her that they might never see each other again. His ship was sailing the next morning, on it’s way to the Bay of Tonkin. Would he think of her; would he remember the day he spent in Philadelphia and the woman he met there? Navy men were worldly men who knew many ports, met many women. Perhaps she was just another stop in a long line of stops along the coastal waters. She wanted to hang on to every moment as they stood between togetherness and departure.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ499hmItwBv
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The old woman rocked her chair, back and forth, back and forth, as old memories came flowing back to life. The parting had been inevitable. Durham, Petty Officer Third Class, had sailed away in the morning and had gone out of her life. As the last gleam of twilight faded from the skies, she watched Seth walk away, his footsteps echoing back to her long after the night had engulfed him. The day ended along with any hope of seeing him again. With a sad heart, she realized they hadn’t even exchanged addresses.131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVyu2mAXxc
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The snow globe weighed heavy in her lap. The bittersweet Christmas tune still tinkling. Again, her lips silently formed the words:131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBqWE09pezo
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“And here we are as in olden days131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcISWV2lws
Happy golden days of yore131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XA81aRHdP
Faithful friends who are dear to us131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dh5jcd2tl
Gather near to us once more131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMgxi3uja6
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Through the years we all will be together131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhxEMFydVnZ
If the fates allow”131Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJXNFETmum
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