35
April 2, 2019
Rio Chama, New Mexico
This time Ramsey strode through the high-arched entrance to the shrine with purpose and energy. He was determined to find Adam. Straightaway, he was aware there were more people than the last time. A tour bus had unloaded around fifty seniors. Most had climbed the long set of steps to the cottonwood tree. He thought to himself if they only knew. Yet even he was drawn there, strangely.
As he mounted the steps, he scanned the site for Father Michael. He’d only met him once and wasn’t sure he would recognize him. After seeing no one that might fit the bill, he continued up the long flight of stairs.
Half way up the steep climb he ran into a chubby woman with rouged cheeks. She was in her fifties. Silver hair hung in rings around her head, forming a
