Walking along the deserted waterfront with its closed cafés, Captain Nikolas felt the need for strong Greek coffee. Lonely and wet from the morning dew, the chairs looked like huge open-mouthed sea clams. Screeching seagulls soared above, calling their mates. On the moist cobbled street doves were searching for scraps while courting one another. Sparrows were chirping loudly, welcoming the new day.
Facing the calm sea, he sat down on a damp chair and lit a cigarette. Placing it on his dry lips, he rested his elbows on the small three-legged wrought-iron table in front of him, hoping the café would open soon. More relaxed now, Nikolas allowed himself to enjoy the pleasant morning breeze on his face. He closed his eyes and tried to still his turbulent mind, as it wrapped over on itself like a broken spool of film on a rapidly spinning cinema wheel.
He sat there for quite some time, trying to relieve the inner tension, until finally his mind was at ease. He closed his eyes lightly. A faint smile appeared on his lips. His face had an inexplicable calmness. It had reason to be. His mind had taken him to Anna and times past, when the lovers were happy, on a small, remote island south of Crete called Gaidouronisi.
A young waiter came over to Nikolas, but he saw his eyes were closed. "Oh well, I'll come back later," the waiter said to himself.