“Come, sit with me by the fire.” He waved to the fireplace that had only just appeared.

She relented because she knew she would eventually. She always ended up by the fire when the rest of the room grew chill. She studied her arthritic hands, wondering when she had grown so old. The knuckles were permanently crooked and swollen, she could hardly hold her brandy snifter anymore.

“It’s time to go.” His voice a soft echo of friends half-remembered. “You feel it, don’t you?”

“No.” She replied. “I feel nothing of the kind.”

“Surely you don’t think you can keep on like this?” He sounded concerned, how sweet.

“I can, and I will. My daughter needs me. I shall not abandon her.”

“You’re holding her back. Her loyalty to you is keeping her from happiness.” His tone grew cold. “She wants you to go.”

“She loves me. I only want what’s best for her.”

“What’s best for her is for you to let go. You should come with me and let her do as she pleases.” The window was now covered in frost.

“You will not win this. Why must you haunt my dreams and scold me about my daughter? What do you want from me, really?”

“I want you to come home with me.” The echos solidified into the voice of her late husband.

“It’s not time, yet. You are not my husband, he would never ask that of me.” She stood up and moved closer to the fireplace.

“He misses you. He watches and waits. He wants you to be with him again. It is your time, you need to let go.” His voice softened back to the multitude of echos.

“You don’t need my permission, not if it really is my time, you could just take me.” She stared into the dying fire, the walls were gathering frost now, too.

“It would be easier on you if you agreed to come with me. I don’t want to force you.” He was walking to the door, the dream was almost over.

“Just let me tell my daughter goodbye.” She cried at his retreating form. “Let me tell her I love her. Then I’ll go with you.”

He nodded and opened the door. “Until tomorrow night, then.” And he was gone.

It won’t be long now. My assignment is almost over. I’ll be home before you know it. They guys are all talking about how they are going to spend their vacations. Most of them have girlfriends and some have wives they are eager to see. I can hardly wait to see you and Dad. Will Robbie be home from college by then? I’ve picked up some fossils he might like to add to his collection.

It’s actually been a good trip, Mom. The weather has been gorgeous, hardly any rain at all. The people are all very kind and happy to see us. It’s been so long since any of them have seen a doctor. They are grateful for things as simple as aspirin and vitamins. We’ve done so much good here that it really is a shame we have to leave. But the people don’t begrudge our leaving. In fact, the children have made us necklaces of shell and stone. The elders have given us small pouches of native herbs that our guide tells us signify good health and safe travel. They are usually given to tribe members who are going on a long journey. They have so little, but they share everything with us. It is such a wonderful community, Mom.

It’s getting dark and our farewell celebration is beginning. I have to go now, but I may be home before this letter even reaches you. If not, give my love to everyone and I’ll see you soon.

Love,

Jimmy

“You have one new message.” Beep. “Mr. and Mrs. Samsen, we regret to inform you that flight 1043 was lost in the Atlantic due to unforeseen weather conditions. Your son, James Samsen was on board. We are very sorry for your loss.”

Mrs. Samsen could only stare in horror at the answering machine, her son’s last letter in her hand. It couldn’t be real.

“Honey, I just heard the strangest thing on the radio.” Mr. Samsen came in from the garage. “A plane went down in the Atlantic, ran into a tropical storm or something. What was Jimmy’s flight number?”

Mrs. Samsen pressed the replay button on the machine, unable to speak.

“You have one old message.” Beep.

He felt so useless, tossing another log on the fire and ignoring the sparks it sent shooting to the sky.  The bed where his wife lay was lined with the furs of animals he had killed.  The hut had been built by his own hands before they were joined by the shaman’s words.  How dare they keep him from it.  It was his work, his doing that brought this all to be, why must he now stay away?

“Women’s business.”  His father said.  “I see your feelings in your eyes, but you are not needed there, now. This one day is for the women.  If you went there, she would only curse you for causing her pain.”

“But Father, surely she needs me.  I could help her bear the pain.”  He crouched on the ground, still staring at the hut.

“This pain is hers to bear and can only be lessened by those who know it.  The women will help her, they know what she feels.  You would only be in the way.”  He stirred the fire, causing more sparks to fly skyward.  “It’s a good night for a birth.  The sky is clear, the air is crisp.  It will be a strong child.”

“She thinks it is a girl.  She says it is not heavy enough to be a boy.  She wants to name her after her sister.”  The young man leaned back and looked up at the stars.

“Her sister was a good, strong child.  She would have grown into a fine young woman.  It would honor her spirit to name your child so.”

The screams were coming closer together, now.  The men sat up, anxious again.  The women at the door stood their ground, but clearly they wanted to rush inside, too.  It seemed like time stood still, even the fire grew quiet.   Then the world rushed back in as a new cry broke from the hut, softer and more pure.

The cry of a new voice, just come into the world. The wise women came out of the hut with a small, squalling bundle in her arms. They handed the new baby girl to her father, and she quieted.

“Look Father, my daughter is finally here.”  He held the baby aloft for all to see.  “Samantha, this is your home, your family, your village.”  And then he took her back into the hut. “And this is your mother, the most beautiful woman in the world.”  He sat down beside her on the bed. “Thank you, for giving me such a beautiful family.” He held both his wife and his child until they were all sound asleep.