Something was wrong with the Sun. It was too big and red.

The stars were scrambled. Mary couldn't find the Big Dipper or Hercules.

Seeing the stars and Sun together was also a bit disconcerting.

The wide meadow beckoned her, and she ran, letting the grasses tickle and scratch at her legs. The air burst against her face in warm puffs.

Exhilarating. Puzzling.

She saw no sign of her house. It should be nestled at the bend in the creek below her. No rubble, no foundation, no outline of where a foundation might once have been.

She heard voices and laughter from the valley below and followed the sound down the meadow toward the trees. A woman emerged along the stream. The faint breeze rippled her green blouse and red hair. She kneeled at the stream to draw water in a small pitcher.

Anja. Dear Anja. Something familiar at last.

Mary broke into a run and called to her.

"Hi, Anja!"

Anja turned and embraced her. "I'm glad to see you. We're having a picnic. Won't you join us?"

"I guess so. But what are you doing here?"

She shrugged. "We're having a picnic."

"No, I mean, there aren't any houses, there aren't any roads. How did you get here?"

Anja smiled her warm, honest smile. "It was such a nice day that we just walked."

Mary laughed. "I would love to join you. We have so much to talk about."

It seemed like they should have a lot to talk about, but Mary realized she didn't know what it was. Of course, Anja always knew how to draw her out.

Anja turned into the woods. Mary followed, watching the sun play on her red hair. Odd. She never dyed her hair.

They walked toward the murmur of voices.

"There's something strange going on, Anja."

"Perhaps it's just such a wonderful day..."

"No. Like the stars. The stars are different."

"They are different, I guess."

"So, how can you know they're different, since it's daytime?"

Anja frowned. "I don't know. I see them."

"Don't you wonder what it means?"

Contents