Hope in Any Other

Steve Hebert"Isn't that what matters?"

The rest of what she had to say was drowned out by the falls.

We gathered our equipment and began the hike back down to the trailhead.

But yes, I thought. It is what matters.

And also, that was the last time we or anyone else saw her.

Spem in alium. Did you hear? The hidden choir, singing "Be mindful of our lowliness" in a dead language?

***

Christmas Day. We found our way back into town and heard George Michael died. No one cried about it until later;...