shelooksyoungagain.Wedonotwears.Again,thereisareasonforthis.Sheasks:"Wereyouevermarried?"

    Inod"Yes."

    "Whatwasshelike?"

    Itellthetruth.

    "Shewasmydream.ShemademewhoIam,andholdingherinmyarmswasmorenaturaltomethanmyowbeat.Ithinkaboutherallthetime.Evennow,whenImsittinghere,Ithinkabouther.Therecouldneverhavebeenanother.

    Shetakesthisin.Idontknowhowshefeelsaboutthis.Finallyshespeakssoftly,hervoigelisual.IwonderifsheknowsIthihings.

    "Isshedead?"

    Whatisdeath?Iwonder,butIdonotsaythis.InsteadIanswer,"Mywifeisalivei.Andshealwayswillbe."

    "Youstillloveher,dontyou?"

    "Ofcourse.ButIlovemanythings.Ilovetositherewithyou.IlovetosharethebeautyofthisplacewithsomeoneIcareabout.Ilovetowatchtheospreyswooptowardthecreekandfinditsdinner."

    Sheisquietforamoment.ShelooksawaysoItseeherface.Ithasbeenherhabitforyears.

    "Whyareyoudoingthis?"

    Nofear,justcuriosity.Thisisgood.Iknowwhatshemeans,butIaskanyway."What?"

    "Whyareyouspendingthedaywithme?"

    Ismile."ImherebecausethisiswhereImsupposedtobe.Itsnotplicated.BothyouandIareenjoyingourselves.Dontdismissmytimewithyou-itsnotwasted.ItswhatIwant.IsithereaalkandIthinktomyself,whatcouldbebetterthanwhatIamdoingnow?"

    Shelooksmeintheeyes,andforamoment,justamoment,hereyestwinkle.Aslightsmileformsonherlips.

    "Ilikebeingwithyou,butifgettiriguediswhatyou