Page 58 of Total Lunar Eclipse

I worried I might get this answer.

“But she’ll be. . . ok, now, right?”

“Yes, she’s found her balance, thanks to you.”

I nod my nonexistent head. That’s all I wanted.

Oh, and for my man-gods to be ok.

“What happens when I die?” I ask hesitantly.

“You become one again with me. No different than now really,” is the response I get.

Huh, well, this isn’tterrible, by any means.

“And you swear all my men will be remade?”

“I swear,” the Universe echoes in amusement.

“Ok, take me and remake them,” I command. “Please,” I tack on as an afterthought.

I can feel the Universe’s curiosity.

“Why would you want to remake them? With all their powers, you all-powerful, limitless, practicallytheUniverse. You can have anything you want; be anyone you want.”

“I’m not anyone or anything without them,” I whisper, feeling an ache where my heart should have been. “I’ll never know how it happened. Damn fuckers snuck up on me and made me love them.”

I feel the Universe smile.

“If you are sure. . .”

“Lady. . . man. . . whatever you are. . . lady-man, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. Can you just do me one favor?”

“I do not do favors.”

“Oh, I know,” I rush to explain. “It’s not anything big. . . just tell them I love them, please?”

“Very well,” the Universe concedes.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“Until we meet again, Zahra, farewell.”

“Later, alligator,” I joke, as I feel myself dissolve into nothing.

My last thought isThank the Universe I didn’t have to shit anyone back out.

CHAPTER 27

ZAHRA

I open my eyes, feeling disoriented.What the fuck kind of dream did I just have?I look around and find myself in the familiar surroundings of my childhood room back in my folks’ house in Minnesota. The bright sunshine streams through the windows and I see spring is well underway.Did I fucking sleep through winter?!

Now that’s the way to do it!

Hibernation all the way, baby.

My enthusiasm wanes when I remember my parents’ deaths and if I’m still here, that means my pitiful, jobless status hasn’t changed. I lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling, willing myself not to fall into another depressing funk. A noise from downstairs catches my attention. I bet Edgar has come to check in on me.