Time flowed, as it always does, but he had no attention for it. It slipped past the edge of his awareness, there but unacknowledged. He had no attention for his immediate surroundings; in truth, he barely even noticed Letitia. She was there, but only as a catalyst, encouraging a reaction without becoming involved in it.

But gradually the flow of tears slowed, and time began to register in his mind again. Information began to creep in through his senses, and he realized someone was speaking to Letitia.

“Do you mind if I go with Mindy tonight?” asked a soft, masculine voice. It was distant; he could hear the words, but they were not part of his world.

“Not at all,” Letitia answered. “In fact, I think I prefer it. Get Forest to stay with a friend, too. James, this is the Doctor.”

“Doctor who?”

She shrugged.

“Doesn’t he have a name?”

“I think that is his name.”

Another hand touched his shoulder, startling him into looking up. Though his vision was hazy, he could see that James was Caucasian – that explained the son’s difference in color – with long brown hair and a beard. “I brought you some dinner,” he said. “Lentil soup. I hope you don’t mind; we don’t eat meat here.” He set down a tray. “I’ll leave you in my wife’s capable hands.”

He gave Letitia a wink and a kiss, then walked away. She smiled after him.

“You should eat,” she suggested as she turned back, picking up the tray. It held two bowls, two mugs, and two thick slices of bread. “That took a lot out of you.”

“How long did I…”

“Long enough to make lentil stew,” she smiled, offering him a bowl.

The first spoonful was like a shock to a long-ignored appetite; he was suddenly ravenous. He had eaten the entire bowl and was sopping up the remains with the bread before Letitia got through half of hers.

“You look like you haven’t eaten all day,” she observed.

“I don’t know how long it’s been,” he admitted. “I think I was unconscious for a while.”

Though her eyes sparkled with curiosity at that, she still didn’t pry. Instead, she asked, “What happened to your hand?”

He looked at his knuckles, now marked with scabs, and flexed his fingers a few times. “I broke a mirror,” he explained.

“You know that’s seven years of bad luck,” she chided.

“What’s seven more? I seem to have nothing but.” He meant years, but she thought he meant bad luck.

“I’m sorry,” she winced. “I didn’t mean to be glib. Forget I said it.” She offered to fetch him a refill, which he accepted.

While they ate, they kept silent. Letitia kept thinking she ought to say something, but she knew it was just social convention. She could tell the Doctor did not find the silence uncomfortable. The sun was sinking low, but a few rays still reached them; he closed his eyes and tilted his face to bask in them. He could feel a soft breeze coming from the same direction as the light, and birds he didn’t immediately recognize chirped nearby. If he listened further away, he could pick out bits of conversation from the rest of the community. Sometimes he could sense Letitia watching him. When the sun dipped behind the mountains, he finally opened his eyes and returned his attention to the meal. Letitia was still working on hers as well, and by the time they finished, it had grown dark.

“I expect you could use some rest,” she said. It was not so much a suggestion as an order, in the way that nurses recommend rest. She led him to a small bedroom inside one of the buildings.

“Whose room is this?” he asked.

“Mine,” she said.

“But aren’t you married?”

“This is a free love community. My husband is sleeping elsewhere tonight. Unfortunately, he always takes his pillow with him – he’s particular about that – so we’ll have to share.”

“We?”

“You don’t mind if I stay with you?” She seemed startled, as if she hadn’t even thought to ask.

“As long as you’re not expecting anything,” he shrugged. “I’m in no condition…”

“Oh, no, of course not!” she laughed. “I wouldn’t dream it, not with the way you’re feeling. I’d be taking unfair advantage.”

It was the absolute truth… except maybe that she wouldn’t dream of it. She was already dreaming of it. But when they got into bed, all she did was curl up behind him and put her arm around him.

Scene Selection

1. Survivor	4. Revelation
2. The Unicorn	5. Time Spiders
3. Lentil Stew	6. Eternity