Treasure Map - Cemetery Trees

Andy decided some time ago that his name is Ben. He is quite firm on this. And so he shall be referred to as Ben.

Ben and I have taken a couple of Really Long Walks lately. We found a secret path that leads to a gap in the iron cemetery fence. The cemetery is big and gorgeous, with lots of trees, lots of little hills and lots of old graves.

On our first walk, on a brilliant blue day, we sat under a pine tree on a carpet of needles and soft dirt. Ben knew I was sad because a friend of mine died the week before. We weren't talking about it, though; we were discussing other things like vampires. Then Ben scooped up a handful of pine needles and dirt and let it fall gently from his hand back to the earth.

"This is like remembering your friend, isn't it?" he asked.

He scooped up another handful, and as he let it slip from his hand, a breeze lifted some of the needles and dirt and blew them away from us.

"This is sort of like her soul, isn't it?" Ben said.

"Yes," I replied, in a whisper. And we sat there, thinking, and my heart was ready to burst with wonder and love.

Our second walk was colder, and we were on the lookout for vampires from the start. This time they were not leaving us feathers as clues. So when we suddenly heard them give chase, we ran up a hill to hide behind a thick tree. Safe.

We sat there for a long time, our backs against the tree. We listened to the birds, watched the squirrels scamper in the brush and leap from tree to tree. We were quiet, just Being. Ben sighed happily.

"I love this," he said. "This is a good spot. It's our tree."

"It's the best," I agreed.

When the vampires eventually found us, we ran away, and found the gap in the fence on another street which allows us to squeeze through and escape.

But our tree is waiting for us, and I know we'll be there soon.