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time the Oak Island Lighthouse far off in the distance bathed them in the glow of its lamp.
    In one of the rotations, Cullen could have sworn he saw the light reflect off of a single tear sliding down Abel’s cheek. Unable to let it go, Cullen finally said, “It might.”
    “It was just another Bible study with those holier-than-thou, Southern Baptist, backwoods attitudes. I don’t think the church will ever change.”
    “So that’s what was going on,” Cullen said. “I passed by the church on my way to dinner and saw the crowd mingling on the steps.”
    “I thought that was you,” Abel said. “I waved, but you were already gone. I had some things to do in the church, but as soon as I finished, I took a chance and walked over. I was hoping I’d find you here.”
    Cullen looked back out over the water. “What verses of the Bible were you studying tonight?”
    More silence. And then Abel sighed. It seemed like he was about to finally take Cullen into his confidence. But instead, they both jumped at the sound of a woman’s voice.
    “Pastor Weston?”
    Abel jumped to his feet. “Courtney! Hey. What are you doing here?”
    Cullen listened as the girl explained. “I saw you walk this way after Bible study, so I followed you. I just wanted to tell you that you did a great job tonight with those old coots.”
    Courtney looked between Abel and Cullen. “Oh. Courtney. This is uh… uh… Reverend Cullen Kiley. He’s an Episcopal priest visiting Southport for a few days.”
    What the…? Episcopal priest?
    Cullen stood and extended his hand. “Uh… that’s retired Episcopal priest. It’s nice to meet you, Courtney.”
    Courtney shook Cullen’s hand and looked back at Abel. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, Pastor Weston. I just wanted you to know there are people in your corner. I’ll let you gentlemen get back to your conversation.”
    “Oh no, Courtney. It’s okay. It’s too late to walk alone. Where are you parked?”
    “Back at the church.”
    “Okay, then. I’ll escort you.”
    Abel turned to Cullen and nervously extended his hand. “Good night, Reverend Kiley. It was great to see you. I hope I’ll see you again before you leave.” Abel’s face was full of pain and misery, and it broke Cullen’s heart.
    “Good night, Pastor Weston.”
    Abel offered his arm to Courtney and led her back in the direction of the church. Cullen watched until they turned the corner and he could no longer see them. He sat back down on the swing and looked out over the water.
    What the heck just happened? That was the most bizarre thing I think I’ve ever experienced. And where did that Reverend Kiley crap come from?
     
     
    IT WAS almost midnight before Cullen climbed back onto T-Time . After Abel’s swift departure, Cullen had spent over an hour sitting alone on the swing, hypnotized by the rotating glow of the Oak Island light and the sounds of the waves crashing against the seawall. As he pushed himself back and forth with one foot, the screeching and whining of the wooden swing lulled him into a rhythm. He contemplated his departure, and just before he left the park, he made a mental note that if he ever did come back to Southport, he should bring a can of WD-40 with him.
    Now safely back onboard his boat, Cullen poured himself a couple of fingers of bourbon and settled topside to enjoy the clear, brisk evening. After much deliberation and weighing of the odds, Cullen decided he would get up at first light, run his five miles, and then cast off. Maybe Charleston and then maybe even farther south. The fun was in not knowing.
    Run your five miles, huh? Yeah, right! You know you’re hoping for one last chance meeting with Abel.
    “So what if I am,” Cullen said aloud and then looked around to make sure no one was in earshot as he talked to himself.
    After panicking about forgetting Cole and the life they shared, followed by the almost juvenile revelation that he would never forget the man he’d loved or their