Melissa S. W. had appeared out of nowhere, and we went to some pastoral campgrounds with sweet wet grass.

At the fringe of these swart hills we sat down in a swampy pond. Though it was reedy and gloumphy with mud, it was pleasant to sit in it with friends. The afternoon was summery and cool and it was like a barbeque where you don’t know anyone but there's a good free story on each one's lips and everyone is opening up.

From the swamp there, we saw a tiny town, and Melissa and I went roaming in its little library. Before long, we were riding on each others’ shoulders, careening up and down the stacks. She plucked a book out while atop my shoulders, and then I dropped her at the checkout. For no visible reason, she was taking forever. I had fun, though, riding the little train back and forth to the head of the line.