Bruce became the inspiration for another poem, all on his own. We had hardly kissed. I just wasn't thinking romantic thoughts about someone who was fourteen years younger than me. He was shipping out, a term they use in the army as well as the navy and it doesn't matter the mode of travel. It's still called "shipping out".

He said he was in love with me and wanted to marry me. I didn't laugh, I was tickled pink that somebody actually thought like that about me. I didn't let it go to my head. I knew in about a month, he'd meet a young pretty girl and suddenly I'd start to look old. I told him he really didn't know what he wanted yet.

I said, "You only think you're in love with me. Give yourself a chance to experience more in life before you think of settling down with one person." He didn't believe me. He said, he'd never forget me.

We were at the USO and I fell asleep on the couch there. When it was time to leave for the airport, he kissed me goodbye and put the ring on my finger. I never knew till later. The others wanted to wake me up, but Bruce wouldn't let them.

The ring is silver and it's a US dime from the year he was born. I still wear that ring even after all these years. I wrote the Goodbye Song for him.