00-01.The Heart Mender - Andy Andrews

The Heart Mender 7holes in its surface in addition to the large one made by theshovel’s blow.The presence of the holes made it apparent that the canwas not filled with food or liquid of any kind, but still, itwas heavier than an empty can should feel. And itrattled when I turned it.Although I assumedthe clatter to becaused by shells andsand, I was curiousand pried apart thethin, fragile metal.Inside the can, dankand mildewed, waswhat I determined tobe an old chamois—once soft leather nowstiffened by age andthe rusty dampnessin which it had beenimprisoned. Pullingthe leather freefrom the can, Isaw that it had, at onetime, been carefully folded. Now, though, itwas shrunken somewhat, blackened by mold and almosthard on its edges like a big, ugly potholder that someone hadstarched.The leather folds came apart easily in my hands, and asthey did, a button fell out and onto the sand at my knees. Asilver button. Though somewhat tarnished, the face of thebutton was beautifully etched with an anchor. From its back