Mama poured her tea and as we munched on those delicious chocolate chip cookies Maggie said, “Look at Layla, Jim!” Layla had fallen asleep while holding a cookie in her hand. “She didn’t even take a bite!”

We all laughed as I said, “You didn’t give her any of that special tea while you were back there in the kitchen, did you, Mama?”

“Oh, Lordy, no! Mr. Jim, you’s the only one I gives the extra special tea to!”

More laughter, and as we sipped the “special” tea, which apparently was not the “extra special” tea, Mama asked, “So tell me, children, why have you come to see Mama today?”

Maggie glanced at me and that was my cue, so with Layla cradled in my arms I started the story. I told Mama every detail, from Layla’s encounter with Strider and her magical effect on him, to Sam and the hornet attack and what happened as Layla sat next to Sam, to our hospitalization. I shared what Sam had told us about his near-death experience, and then what happened at Alma’s diner, and finally every nuance and element of the mysterious dream that I experienced on Lisa’s couch.