"She wasn't doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together."

-J.D. Salinger

**********

"Dad," the young man looks up from his fishing rod, eyes squinting from the glare of the vibrant setting sun. The waters are still, and the prospects of a catch have been dwindling by the minute.

"Don't worry son, let's just wait for awhile more. Patience, is key." The man does not take his eye off the fishing line, as if expecting it to pull any minute.

"No dad, I want to ask you another question, especially since mum's not around today." The boy's eyebrows are furrowed, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.

The man looks up at his son now, his attention diverted from the fishing line at the mention of his wife and the serious tone of his son's voice.

"What's so important that you have to ask when mum's not around?" The man stares intently at his son's serious expression, amused yet concerned.

"I've always been curious - how did you know mum was the one?" The boy looks his father in the eyes,