Merrill Crunchcoat boarded the Metro North at Beacon Falls Station. He was on his way to see his son Garrett graduate from Fordham University. He sat down & picked up a "Coastal Living" magazine that someone else had left. He was talking to himself out loud about his fantasies of retirement.
An elderly man interrupted him & struck up a conversation, talking about his own retirement experiences. They had lots of talks & laughs throughout the ride. Merrill arrived at his stop & said goodbye.
He picked up his rental car that he reserved, & he rushed. He was late to the graduation ceremony. Coincidentally, the instant that he arrived, Garrett's name was called to walk across the stage & pick up his diploma, & he saw his father walking in & gave a military-like salute. Garrett got his Master's of Science in Information Technology.
Garrett hugged his father & said, "Better late than never!"
Merrill laughed & said, "I was right on time, Son! What are you talking about?"
They drove around town in Merrill's rental car, & Merrill said that he hasn't been to Times Square in a long time. He found a paid place to park, & then he kept saying that Times Square looks just like Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles (Hollywood).
Garrett said, "Wait a minute! You saw the best of both worlds?"
"Yes!", replied Merrill. "Times Square is just more lively."
They both spent the evening shopping, touring & dining. Merrill was talking about his retirement wishes as the were walking. He said that he was sick of the cold & snow & wanted to retire to a coastal beach area. Garrett jokingly pushed him & laughed & said, "No way! Dream on, traitor."
Merrill said, "Watch me."
They rented a hotel for the night & brainstormed their Southern Living plans. They voted on Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Merrill worried that Myrtle Beach wasn't "Southern enough", but he didn't want to live in Miami, where the heat is unbearable. They packed up, checked out of the hotel, extended the car rental, packed up all of their belongings & headed South. Merrill did all of the driving because he wanted Garrett to relax.
The father & son duo found a spring somewhere in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina. They collected water & said it was the best tasting water they've ever drunk in their entire lives. Then, they began foraging for some berries. They crossed paths with the old man that Merrill met on the train. Another coincidence! Of ALL people! He taught them how to hunt & fish. They switched their minds & decided to move to a peaceful area our in the country, instead of the beach. Garrett got a job as a software engineer. Merrill finally retired. Garrett decided that he didn't want a woman. He didn't want to settle down, get married or have children. He just wanted peace & no drama. Merrill wished for the same.
THE END