31st Birthday

[Lizzie]

He’s never been much for long conversations
unless the questions come from him. 

Don't want to ruin your thread with a bunch of blah blah, but this part is gutting. The fact that he leaves again is wrenching, and yet there seems to be a sense of hope that, maybe, one day the conversation will continue longer. The overlapping of hope and grief is so beautifully done and leads seamlessly into the wave imagery. 

I agree with busker that the last line lessens the impact of the waves coming in, but this one's a keeper. This is publishable, IMO. It has a cinematic feel to it.