April 4, 2016
Rio Chama, New Mexico

After a glorious night, Hiram and Myriam found themselves relaxing around her breakfast table.

Myriam said, “I had a revelation last night. Something came to me in my sleep. It was like a dream, only more intense—as though it were really happening.”

She took a deep breath, ready for Beecher to laugh at her, but the big man put down his coffee and leaned across the table taking her hand in his broad fingers. “Tell me about it.”

“A coyote came to me and began speaking. He asked me, ‘Why are you crying, little one?’ I told him, ‘Because I was leaving New Mexico in the morning.’ He laughed gently and shook his head. ‘The shrine needs a new caretaker.’ He gave me a catkin like ones from the cottonwood tree.” Myriam opened up her left hand. In it was a dried spike from the cottonwood. “I found this on the dresser this morning.”

She paused, then said shyly, “I want to keep the shrine going.” She waited for Beecher to say something.

The big man nodded his head slowly and said, “Agreed.

“You’re so agreeable.”

“It’s my penance.”

Myriam reached over and placed her other hand in his. “I love you so much.”