I could hear you, talking to the daffodils and tulips, whispering to the fairies that lived inside their petals. Each separate flower had a different family inside it.

I was surprised at her gentleness, her willingness to give in.

How long will you keep me?" I asked. You shrugged. "Forever, of course.

The sand stretched out gray and ghostlike and illuminated, a column of light leading forward. It was like something a dead person would see, a tunnel leading toward heaven.

The sun was bobbing on the horizon, just peeking over. Its light shimmered on the sand behind you, making your body look like it was glowing … like it had a kind of aura.

Your beautiful mouth was moving like a caterpillar. I reached out and tried to catch it.

The land wants you here. I want you here," you called. "Don't you care about that at all?