Then I lie down on the horse blanket and drift into a dream about Marlena that will probably cost me my soul.

You do right by me, I'll show you a life most suckers can't even dream of.

I think there is just a vein of humanity that really loves animals and really loves to read about them.

I roll onto my side and stare out the venetian blinds at the blue sky beyond. After a few minutes I'm lulled into a sort of peace. The sky, the sky--same as it always was.

Even when I look straight into the milky blue eyes I can't find myself any more. When did I stop being me?

I just can't. I'm married. I made my bed and now I have to lie in it.

After sixty-one years together, she simply clutched my hand and exhaled.