"Well," I started, "I can certainly understand why not sharing pancakes on a Saturday morning would break the deal and your love of nature I can understand as well." I could not understand why she was not looking and wondered what had caused her to feel that way. I knew that I was not looking, because mine was a hard lifestyle for many folk. If the right woman came along, then that was fine, but until she did, I was content taking companionship where I could get it, and being alone most of the time. It was true that it was lonely, and I longed for companionship sometimes, even if it were only that of a dog, but I always pushed those feelings aside.

"So, here we are, both single and determined to stay so. How sad is that?" I lifted my mug of coffee in a mock salute and then took a drink of it. As luck had it, the movement of the bench swing had not caused me to spill my coffee quite yet. It was a perfectly peaceful night, with the expanse of the stars and the full moon stretched out above us. The light pollution of the city did not interfere with our view. I put a friendly arm around her shoulder, without meaning anything much by it. It was simply a wonderful and peaceful evening with an agreeable and beautiful companion. Moments like this I treasured up, for the long and lonely days on the road and in the air.

(OCC: I am so very sorry for not posting sooner. Things have been really up in the air.)