The Vanished Captain's Ring

Susan strolled in the sunshine, sat on a bench, reapplied her lipstick, and looked at the palace from every angle possible. Finally, Paul approached her from behind. "Hey, pretty lady; can I give you a ride?"
"You took forever; I think I've aged a year."
"I'm sorry. Guess my surprise backfired."
"That's all right. It was sweet of you just the same. I should thank you anyway as you have been so helpful. I don't know how I would do this without you."
Paul smiled shyly. "It’s my pleasure, I promise."
"Where is this surprise you were telling me about?"
"I left it in the car." He helped her stand. "Shall we?"
"Why, of course," she replied with a mock snobbish tone. "You know, you should get your phone looked at."
"Yeah, I know. Just been too busy playing tour guide."
Susan enjoyed the warmth of the sun as they walked to the car. Paul opened the door for her and wound the window down to invite the breeze. He started the car and waited for her seatbelt to click.
She leaned her head back. “Were you able to find the ring?”
“It’s in a safe place.”
“I wouldn’t say mud is that safe.” She smiled.
He gave her a sideward glance. “All in time, my dear.” He thought quietly for a minute.
“What do you think happened to that priest yesterday?”
Susan sighed. “I really don’t know. I just hope I don’t meet up with him again.”
“What do you think he wanted from you? I mean, well, you don’t think—”
Susan shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. He wanted a specific item but he wouldn’t tell me what it was, and for some reason he expected me to know.”
“Maybe he thought you were someone else.”
“That’s the only explanation that makes sense to me.”
Susan noticed him studying her through the corner of his eye. “Well, you’ll just need to keep me with you at all times for protection,” he said.
Susan stifled a giggle. “What do bodyguards charge nowadays?”
“For you? Nothing monetary.”
Susan blushed.
“Oh, I nearly forgot,” he said, rummaging through his jean pocket. He finally pulled the ring out and handed it to her.
“You found the ring.”
“Got it before one of my pigs did.”
“You’re a legend.”
Paul shrugged. “Erect a statue of me when I die.”
Susan kissed him on the cheek and slid it onto her thumb. “It’s a little large for my fingers.”
“Have you been up all night? You look tired.”
“I’m dreaming a lot lately. I wake up feeling like I haven’t slept.”
“Take a nap, then; it’s going to take a bit. Just don’t drool on the seat, all right?”
Susan smiled. “I’ll pay for the cleaning bill.” She rested her head against the seat and gazed out to the left. Trees became blurry. So tired.
Dreaming again.
The beach looked deserted. She stood alone and vulnerable. She sensed someone near her and turned. Two men stood by the ocean. She worried for them. Was the shark still circling?
One wore white, the other green. Are they wearing uniforms? Is he here? Where is the man she loves? She tried to get a closer look at the men. She felt tired and wanted to lie down on the sand.
Don’t sleep, stay in the dream.
The men talked with each other but didn’t see her. They each took something from their pockets . . . they were rings just like hers. They threw them with great force and anger into the ocean. Why would they do that?
Such a pretty ring. Why would they want to discard theirs like that?
She turned away. Where is the man she loves? Is he one of them? She turned toward the ruins, no one there. She looked back at the men waiting on the shore. What were they waiting for? She walked toward them. One of them had gone.
He must be in the ruins. She saw a flash of dark blue. He didn’t know she was there. Her vision went from blurry to sharp.
Now she stood behind him. She reached out to touch the material of his uniform. Why couldn’t she reach him? He didn’t know she was there. He turned—
Awake.
Susan threw Paul an anxious look. He slowed the car and braked at the light. "You don’t look happy."
“Wasn’t a very good sleep.”
“Wasn’t very long, either.”
“I keep dreaming.”
“What do you dream about?”
Susan recognized the motive behind his question. “I guess it’s just a mixture of the last couple of days. You know, things that we’ve discussed, that sort of stuff.”
“Dream about me, then?”
Susan blushed again. “No, I didn’t say I had nightmares.” She grinned.
He responded with a playful push. “I usually charge an upfront fee for the chance to dream about me.”
Susan stretched. "Hey, when am I getting this surprise you mentioned?"
"Have a look in the glove box. It's just there on the top.”
She picked up a thick envelope and studied it: registration papers. A smaller envelope dropped to the floor and she picked it up.
“That’s it."
It had Susan’s name on it. "Paul, you shouldn't have."
Paul turned the corner and laughed. "Not that I wouldn't buy you something, Susan, but that's just something from home. Pop says you might want it."
Susan blushed. "Oh, sorry." She opened it slowly. “It is always exciting to get a surprise, no matter who the giver is.”
The envelope had one photograph inside.
Susan removed the photo from the envelope with the wrong side facing up. A name had been written on it in beautiful handwriting. Susan held her breath, reluctant to turn it over. She peered at Paul.
He smiled and looked away. "Aren't you going to look at it? I thought you were curious to see what he looked like."
Susan turned it over and gasped. "No, it’s impossible."
Paul's smile turned serious, he pulled the car over to the side of the street. "What's the matter?”
"I can't believe it."
"Susan, what's wrong?"
"I know this man."
Paul let out an involuntary laugh. "Are you sure? That's not possible."
Susan stared at the photo.
"That was taken a few months before he went missing," Paul explained.
"How can you be sure this is Edward?"
"Pop says his mum kept that in an album. Does he look like someone you know?"
"Paul, I know you might not believe me, but I know this face. This is the man I’ve been dreaming about. I swear it is him."
Paul studied her face. "I believe you."
"You’re just saying that to be nice. I know it sounds silly but I swear to you, I saw him in my dream as clearly as I see you now. I really don't think he died."
Paul put the car into drive and returned them to the road. "Susan, I do believe you. I've always thought dreams meant something."
"I just wish I knew what." Susan sighed.
"Do you think it has something to do with that website you looked at?"
"I hope so."
They fell into unified silence. Susan touched the old photograph lightly. The man looked serious, but his eyes shined mischievously from the photo paper. His naval uniform looked new. Was he the man standing at the shore in her dreams?
Paul took a discreet glance at her. "This means a lot to you, doesn't it?"
She wanted to hug him. "Yes, it does."
"Why?"
"I really don't know. It just does."