There had been so many easy words between them that Daniel was guilty of nodding every now and then and tuning out the excess. He hadn't known, at the time, that he should have been hoarding these, like bits of sea glass hidden in the pocket of a winter coat to remind him that once it had been summer.
In the narrative, Daniel reflects on his conversations, realizing he often tuned out during easy exchanges. This sense of guilt arises from his failure to appreciate the significance of those moments. Instead of cherishing the words shared with someone meaningful, he finds himself dismissing them, unaware of their potential value.
He likens these missed words to bits of sea glass, suggesting that they are precious reminders of a happier time, much like the warmth of summer captured within the confines of a winter coat. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of treasuring seemingly trivial interactions, as they hold the essence of better days.
