6) INT - ANN'S APARTMENT - NIGHT (WEEKEND)

Jack shifted Ann just a bit and stretched. He reached down beside the couch for the last few kernels of popcorn in the bowl. They'd watched five taped episodes of Tales of the Gold Monkey, and somewhere during the fifth Ann had fallen asleep snuggled next to him on the couch.

She looked so peaceful as she slept. The years had been kind to her, with some strands of silver in her brown hair, and a few smile lines. It was hard to believe they were both nearly 40 - she was still so very much like he remembered her.

They'd spent the day unpacking boxes in her new apartment. She was a freelance graphic designer, and had the usual array of markers, pens, triangles and design books, along with a drafting table and a Mac computer and printer. Her portfolio included logos, letterhead, and even aviation illustration.

Ann made a small sound in her sleep, and her hand reached up towards her neck. He recognized the gesture, and caught a tiny gleam in the dim light from the television. Her hand moved, and then he saw it.

It couldn't be, but it was.

A tiny silver Irish Claddagh pendant. Scratched and worn, she had wrapped her hand around it in her sleep.

Time fell away as Jack remembered her 16th birthday, when he'd given her the pendant. He told her when things got bad to wrap her hand around it, and to remember life would get better. She wore it inside her clothes, so her parents wouldn't see it and take it away.

She'd truly never forgotten him.

That small reminder touched him more than anything she'd said or done that week. Luck of the Irish, indeed.

He slipped a throw pillow on the end of the couch and stretched out with her against him. Jack fell asleep listening to the sound of her breathe, more content than he'd ever felt.

- END OF REUNION STORY -