As Ive said throughout this period I was greatly attracted to Eileen.
One day while at work I came up behind her as she placed a can of beets on a shelf. I can still see the label in my head. As she turned I said, “The kiss of the sun for pardon The song of the birds for mirth You’re nearer God’s heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth.” She stopped and looked at me the way the policeman had that evening. “Where did you learn that?” she said. At the cemetery, I told her. I then asked her if she would like to visit it with me. How I managed all of that is beyond me. When she agreed I could have cried there among the earthen-looking sacks of baking flour and tins of artichoke hearts. I arranged for us to meet the following Sunday at the old side entrance to the cemetery; the spot I cherished most. That rest of that week I knew Mr. Hennessey was aware of something different. Eyeing me even more carefully then usual he said, "How goes it Mr. Melville? Anything new on the horizon?" I kept my peace waiting for the week to end.