David sniffs at the leaves of grass and flower petals that lie under his nose, an involuntary response to waking up on the ground. Slowly he lifts himself up onto his hands, shaking his head to clear away the grogginess. It takes a few moments for him to orient himself to familiar surroundings, to recognize his mother"s grave beneath him, her headstone, and the marble angel that looms tall overhead. For a split second, he feels a warm movement emanate from the winged creature. She touches her feet down on the pedestal with the delicateness of a dove landing on a tree branch, then elegantly folds her wings behind her. Now she is motionless; regal, divine, cold stone.
“I must be dreaming,” David murmurs.
He runs his fingers through his hair in a gesture of full awakening. As his fingers br
