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too.”

    It was a long, steep climb and it took all of the three hours Felix said it would take. “I could never find my way up here again. How do you know where you’re going?”
    “I used to take sacks of food to the padre twice a week. Now, another family in the parish does it. The padre is a very kind man. He won’t ask us any questions. I spoke to him three times. The only thing he made me promise was that I would love you in sickness and health and that part about till death do us part. I promised. You have to promise, too. I told you he doesn’t speak English, didn’t I? It’s not a problem. We’re almost there. I brought water and a soft cloth so you could freshen up. I made you a present, too,” he said shyly.
    “A present. Is it a wedding present? I brought something for you, too,” Aggie said just as shyly.
    “I love you, Aggie.”
    She believed him because she loved him, too.
    Twenty minutes later, Felix said, “We’re here.” He looked up at the sun. “We have fifteen minutes before we meet the padre. We have to be on time. He takes a long nap and you can’t wake him. If we don’t get there on time we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Hurry, Aggie.”
    She wore a simple white dimity dress with a pale satin sash. She’d brought a pair of soft leather slippers to complete her wedding outfit. “I’m ready.”
    “Oh, Aggie, you look so beautiful. When I close my eyes I’ll always remember how you looked at this moment. Here, I made this crown of flowers for your hair and this is your bouquet. I kept them in water so they’re still fresh. Do I look okay?”
    “Oh, yes,” Aggie said. “You look more handsome than a movie star. I like your tie.”
    “Hurry, Aggie, It’s not far, but we can’t dilly around. Actually, we should run. Are you up to it?”
    “For my wedding, I could fly if I had to. Lead the way, Felix.”
    They were breathless and flushed when they came to a halt outside a small hut in a nest of lush greenery. There were flowers everywhere, colorful blooms that were so heady, Aggie felt drunk on the scent.
    The padre was old and frail, his shoulders bowed from carrying the sins of the world. His hair was a glistening pearl white in the bright sunshine. Later she swore she saw a halo over his head. He was ill, too. She didn’t know how she knew, she just knew.
    “Pinch me, Felix. I want to be sure I’m not dreaming,” Aggie whispered as she held out her left hand. Tears misted in her eyes when she stared at the simple homemade wedding ring. She was so in love she picked up Felix’s hand and kissed his ring finger.
    “It’s over—he just pronounced us man and wife. He’s waiting for me to kiss you, and then I have to give him his present. Rich people give the padre money. I’m giving him a pouch of tobacco.”
    It was the sweetest kiss in all the world.
    “I love you, Mrs. Sanchez.”
    “I love you, Mr. Sanchez.
     
     
    Ariel woke from her dream, the same dream she’d had many times, her body bathed in sweat. She felt disoriented and her head was pounding. She reached over to turn on the bedside lamp. From the nighttable drawer she withdrew her keepsake box. In the bottom, wrapped in tissue, was the ring Felix had slipped on her finger. She’d looked at it before, but had never put it on her finger. She did so now, and all the memories of what came after flooded through her. That had never happened before. She told herself she’d never been this vulnerable before.
    Ariel crawled back into bed. She pressed her left hand against her cheek. She was back in a mossy, flower-laden bower, a gentle smile on her face as she slipped into a dreamless sleep.

Three
    Ariel looked at the Christmas tree with disdain. It was one of those perfect, artificial Hollywood Christmas trees, complete with gilt and plastic. She hated it.
    It was January 2, 1995. The second day of the New Year. “I say we just dump this tree and forget about it. There’s something really depressing