The sun is just setting over the rusty hills of Willaha, Arizona when I pull into the near-empty parking lot of the tiny Safeway store. Dust devils whirl on the pavement. Everything is soft, and the only noise is the warm breeze.

I walk into the store and do a little shopping. I pick up a box of Lucky Charms and a frozen pizza. I carry them to the checkout line in one arm.

She's there. Her hair is a little different now. Her eyes are still that electrical blue. I wonder how old she is. What kind of movies does she like? What are her plans for the future?

Her eyes widen in shocked recognition, and she smiles. "Hey. How's it going?"

"Pretty good," I say, returning her smile and not even looking at the checker as I hand him my money. "Pretty damn good."

She puts my two items in a bag and hands it to me. She looks me right in the eyes and says, "Do you need help out with that?"

I look down at the bag, then back at her, and grin. "Yeah. I think I do."

The End