We began walking toward the end of the pier. “So,” she said. “What do you wanna do?” Luckily, I had put some thought into that. “I was think...ing we could go to Mariasol Cocina.” And so we did. We ate dinner and talked for a long time. I found out she grew up in San Francisco; that her favorite color is green (just like mine); that her favorite movie was Titanic (it’s one of mine, as well); that her parents were divorced when she was little, and her dad moved to LA, so that’s why she was here. “Maa come let me feed you,” I said inviting her into my lap. “Voo hun!” she moved her head in a no. “Emaindi Maa?” (What happened Maa?)“Huh. huh. nuvvu chala chilipi ra! Edo koduku vi kada ani nee korika teeruddamu ani anukunnanu, kani voddu.” (Voo hun, you are a very mischievous son. You are my son, so I want to fulfill your desire, but no.)“Enduku Maa?” (Why Maa?)“Nuvvu anni chilipi panulu chestav?” (You do all naughty things)“Nenemi cheasanu?” (What did I do?)“Velu petti kelikavu kada?” (You. We made pretty good progress though.Our first planned stop was more than fifty miles west of the plateau and there was no way to make it before sunset so we stopped an hour ahead of time and made a small camp. George's dogs were with him and we were counting on them to keep a watch over things while we slept. We also laid in enough firewood to keep our fire going all night.Nothing seemed interested in us though and I was glad enough over it. We were up just before sunrise the next morning and. I'll always be here for you. It's over now. It's all over. We'll get back together. I know it hurts still but it's over now. I know it will take time but I'm back to stay." She stayed holding me tightly, crooning soft comforting words, until I slept a fitful sleep.The next day Saturday, I was up early and went hiking in the woods. I had to think and think alone, where no one or nothing would bother me. Did she really mean what she had said last night? Was she serious? What did I feel? Could I.