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She continued to process the groceries. Then, she paused. No one was behind me waiting yet, so she had time.

"Of course, I know about your mother marrying Dave's father. Everyone thought it was so weird. How are they getting along?"

"Just fine.`' I said. "I'm in a little hurry."

"Sure." She rang it up and told me the amount. I handed her the cash Mama had given me and she made the change and then started to pack. Someone finally came up to the aisle, but she didn't work any faster. She won't have this job very long either, I thought.

"Maybe you and I can get together sometime," she said. "I'm not as wild as I was. Promise."

I nodded, but said nothing. The store manager came around and glared at her so she worked faster. I began to put the bags into the cart.

"Call me anytime," she said. "If you want. I'll come around." "I'm busy right now."

She looked devastated, then flashed a weak smile. If you find the time or change your mind, don't hesitate. Okay?"

"Okay." I put the last bag into the cart. I felt as if I were fleeing when I started out. I guess I really was, only she would never really understand why.

Meeting Roberta Beckman and having those memories return vividly put a dark spot on my joyful day. I had always been very conscious of

coincidences. Nothing happened by accident in our world. Everything had meaning. Sometimes, that meaning was buried under other things, but it was there if you looked hard and long enough.

On good days, wonderful surprises always seem to occur, whether it be my discovery of a nest of baby hummingbirds or simply a magnificent and interesting new wildflower. I had learned from Mama that distinct rhythms of energy are going on continuously. Being able to tune in to them, sense them, and benefit from that knowledge was the special strength our family possessed now and would in the future.

Because this coincidence. meeting Roberta, was dark and unnerving. I was especially happy to get home safely. Mama wasn't downstairs when I entered to bring in the groceries. I called to her to let her know I was home. I wondered where she was and where Baby Celeste was After I brought in everything and put away what had to be put away immediately in the refrigerator. I went searching through the house and upstairs. Mama and Dave's bedroom door was closed. I listened, heard nothing, and then knocked softly.

"Mama?"

A moment later she opened the door. I saw Dave in bed, his eyes closed.

"What happened? I thought he was starting to get better. I thought he was getting dressed to be up and about."

She stepped out and closed the door behind her softly. "Well see. He was suddenly very, very tired. so I helped him to bed." "Mama, this is terrible."

"Did you get everything on the list?"

"Yes, of course."

"Good. I'll start on dinner then."

"Where's Baby Celeste?"

"She was suddenly very tired, too, and fell asleep about the same time Dave did," Mama told me from the top of the stairway. She smiled. "It was rather extraordinary."

"What was. Mama?"

"The way she... reacted to Dave."

"What do you mean?"

"When he was happy, she was happy, and when he became low and tired, she did. Rather

extraordinary." She nodded,

She turned and descended the stairway. Her words made me feel numb. What was extraordinary, exactly? Baby Celeste was always sensitive to the people around her.

I returned to their bedroom doorway and looked in at Dave. He was in a deep sleep. What had happened? He had been so energized about our little celebration. He had shaved and dressed and looked to be recovering.

He should go directly to the hospital now, I thought more firmly. I'd drive him myself if he would go. I hesitated a moment, listened to be sure Mama was not on the stairway, then I started into the bedroom, intending to wake him and tell him so. But the moment I set foot in the room. I heard Baby Celeste's horrible wail. It wasn't something she ever did. The scream was piercing.