She began to read the Bible and other spiritual works. She found many of them to be filled with wisdom. She didn't like the Old Testament, there was too much violence and punishment for her taste, but she loved the Psalms and the Songs of Solomon. She also found the teachings of the Buddha intriguing. Her days began to take on a slow and relaxed pace. She read, walked, played with the puppy, and read some more. Keeping to herself as much as Mavis would allow her.

Summer had led to fall, and she was still in Hamden. Her pills were safely hidden away. She still planned to use them, but she wasn't in such a hurry. She'd lived most of her life in the southeast where the changing of seasons was a very subtle thing compared to the transformations that took place in the northeast. She told herself that she would live to watch the seasons unfold before departing from this strange world. Knowing she would die soon enough (and when she chose) brought her some comfort.

Virginia was sipping tea with Mavis while Sam snoozed under the table. Mavis visited regularly now, and Victoria had given up all attempts at discouraging her. Mavis was indomitable.

"It's time Virginia. I've been more than patient and I'm sick of making excuses for you," admonished Mavis.

"Since when did it become your job to make excuses for me Mavis?"

"Don't try your avoidance tactics with me today Jinni, I'm in no mood for it. I need your help dam it! What the hell will it cost you to make one lousy casserole and show your miserable face!"

"Alright, I'll make a casserole and bring it to your house Saturday morning and you can take it with you when you go," Virginia offered, attempting to appease Mavis.

"No."

"What do you mean no?"

"I mean NO. I need you to be there," insisted Mavis.

"For Christ sake Mavis! Why do you have to be so stubborn? I'm making the fucking casserole for you!" Virginia growled. Sam, sensing Virginia's agitation, got up and nuzzled her leg, demanding that she pat him.

"That's not enough Virginia. You sit around this cottage, reading your books, taking your walks and giving back nothing. You've got a debt to pay."

"I do, do I? I never knew that was how you thought Mavis!" Virginia jerked out of her chair, marched to her purse and flung open her wallet, throwing bills on the table.

"How much Mavis, how much do I owe you? Should I write you a check? Let me know how much it'll take to settle my bill with you," she snarled.

Mavis was speechless and felt the blood drain from her face. She felt Virginia's rage and hatred pierce her chest and lodge its poison arrow into her heart. She refused to show Virginia that she'd succeeded in wounding her. She'd be damned if she'd show any vulnerability; "never let anyone see they've hurt ye" her mother had told her when she was a small child. And she hadn't. Ever.

"Put your money away," Mavis commanded coldly. "You don't owe me one miserable penny, you don't owe me so much as one measly kind thought."

Virginia immediately felt ashamed of herself and sorry that she'd struck out at Mavis. She'd known better. Why was it all she seemed to offer anyone was her distrust and hatred, she wondered miserably.

"Do you think the air you breathe is free just because you don't pay dollars and cents for it? Do you think for one minute that just because your heart's been broken, you don't have to be thankful that it's still beating? Oh, I know, you poor thing, you want your heart still and your body cold, but it isn't. It's warm and alive in spite of you! You're alive Virginia! Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something with this life of yours! You'll be in your grave before you know it, so how about giving something to this world while your still in it!"

Virginia was struck by Mavis's passion. She'd never seen her so animated, so passionate, so self-righteous.

"Give what Mavis? What do I have to give? Every other word that comes out of me is hateful. I have no love, no joy, and no skills to give. I'm just barely hanging on here. It takes everything I have to get out of bed in the morning. You tell me what I have to offer anyone?"

Mavis looked back at her unaffected by her outburst.

"Plenty. You have plenty. Your hands still work, your eyes still see, your ears still hear, you've more than enough to give. I'm not stupid. I know your still planning to snuff out your life. I also know that now's not your time."

"How do you know when my time is?

"I don't know when your time is up, but I know it's not now?"

Virginia laughed bitterly. "Oh, I see, you get to control everyone and everything in your little town, and you decided that my time isn't now, did you?" Virginia smirked.

"I didn't see it."

"You didn't see what?"

"I didn't see a shroud." Mavis explained simply.

"A shroud, what's a shroud?" Virginia asked incredulously.

"I haven't seen a shroud around you, not once. Even when you were lying close to death, I didn't see one."

Virginia was confused. Mavis wasn't making any sense. She wondered if she'd given her too much credit. Maybe she was as crazy as Virginia was. Maybe when you're crazy, you don't recognize insanity in others.

"I know you're thinking that I'm touched," continued Mavis, "I have the second sight. I see things sometimes and know things that others don't."