hecreakoftwigsandbranches,nothingreachedmyear.Ishruggedmyshoulders.

    "Tryharder."

    Ilistenedsoilythatafierceheadaockedinsidemyskull:hereven,relaxedbreathing,thebeatingofherheart,andafar-offrhythmicvibrationthatatfirstsoundedliketheraspofafilebutsoontookonamorefixedcharacter.Ahumofalternatingspeeds,alowsplash,theoccasionalhorn,tireso,andIrealizedwewerelisteningtodistanttraffic.

    ","Itoldher."Cars."

    "Payattention.Whatdoyouhear?"

    Myheadlitting,butIfocused."Lotsofcars?"Iguessed.

    &quht."Shegrinned."Lotsandlotsofcars.Traffithem."

    Istilldid.

    "Peoplegoingtowork.Iy.Schoolbusesandkids.Lotsofcarsinthem.Thatmeansitsaworkday,notaSunday.Sundaysarequietandnotsomanycarsspeedingby."

    Sheheldherbarefiheairaasteditinhermouthforaninstant."IthinkitsaMonday,"shesaid.

    "Iveseenthattrickbefore.Howyoutell?"

    "Allthosecarsmakesmoke,aoriesmakesmoke.ButtherearentsomanycarsontheroadaoriesareclosedonSundays.Youhardlytasteanysmokeatall.Monday,abitmore.ByFridaynight,theairtasteslikeamouthfulofcoal."Shelickedherfingeragain."DefinitelyaMonday.Now,letmeseeyourletter."

    Ihandedoverthevalentineandenvelope,whichsheied,pointingtothepostmarkoverthestamp."DoyourememberwhatdayisValentinesDay?"

    "Februaryfourteenth."Ifeltproud,asifIhadgiventhecorreswerinmathclass.Animageflashedofawoman,dressedinbladwhite