Shell

It all started with a shell. You held it to your ear, closed your eyes, and listened. "If you listen close enough, you can hear the ocean. It's waves crashing on the shore, the seagull's crying in the air, and the swaying of palm trees from the breeze." You let out a long breath, a small smile forming on your lips. "Try it." Your hands engulfed mine as you wrapped my fingers around the shell and gently lifted it up to my own ear. "I can't hear anything." I said. "Shhh," you whispered, "Just listen, close your eyes." I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and listened. Just like that, I heard it. Faintly at first, but as I listened even closer, I was able to make out the sounds of waves hitting the shore, of birds in the air, and even the gently swaying palm trees. "I hear it now." I said. Carefully, as not to break it, I lowered the shell from my ear to place it back in your hands. But you stopped me. "No, you keep it." you said, "It's a memory that never dies."