"You know those things 'll kill ya one of these days."

Rose looked to see a new, biblical-looking figure sitting next to her. She was puzzled, she hadn't heard anyone sit down. He had shaggy white hair and a beard. His ragged jeans and black T-shirt made him look like a recycled teenager. As for the cigarette comment, he looked as if he had some experience in the area. He carried a silk rose; she knew in a moment who it was.

"My little Rose, may I have a drag?"

Handing over her cigarette Rose put all the pieces together. "My song, it was you that I heard."

"Dawn is breaking everywhere
Light a candle, curse the glare
Draw the curtains I don't care 'cause
It's all right . . .
Oh well a Touch of Grey
Kind of suits you anyway.
That was all I had to say
It's all right."

"Yes it was. Bobby was right, I love it."

"But how did you get it? I lost it so long ago."

"You left it in my house. I guess you were too upset to notice. I picked it up yesterday, always knew you were a writer."

"Thank you, I had meant to give it to you that day. But you were . . . well are you . . . "

"dead? Yes I am. I can't explain it to you."

"But Jerry, I have so many questions. How are you really here? Are you really here?"

Taking her hand he paused for a moment and then spoke again. This time in a much softer voice. "Look at me Rose, do I look dead to you? Do you feel my hand, is it real to you?"

"Yes but . . ."

"Then it must be real. At least in the sense you mean. I don't have all the answers that you're asking for, but I do have the answers you need. Sometimes the most complex questions have the simplest answers."

"I can live with that, so answer me one question. What is death?"

"Death? There is no death. None of this ever ends. True, I have changed form. I am no longer as you see me." "This," he said gesturing to his clothing "is a role. I look like this because this is how you remember me."

"In reality, who do you look like?"

"Which reality do you mean Rose? This reality, your reality, Phil's reality?"

"Phil . . . how is he?"

"Having a grand ol' time. He insists on checking up on you almost every day."

"So he sent you to see me."

"No, you did that yourself. I care about you too much to see you suffer. Don't short come your abilities as a person."

"So what are we supposed to do? Death and pain are all around me Jerry. Why did you leave?!"

"Rosie don't . . . now calm down. You will get by. If I could come back I might, but you have no idea how beautiful it is where I am. God takes us when he wants us, my number came up."

"Then where are you now?"

"Where am I?"

"Is there an echo in here Jerry?"

"Calm down Rose, I'm here now, but I'm also beyond the farthest star. I was and am in another ripple of another galaxy."

"I'm sorry, it's not your fault. It's just that . . ."

"Shhh Rose, don't say anything more. Some things can't be explained. Now sing with me, your song."

"But I don't remember it."

"Yes you do, sing. It will clear your head. I'll help you."

Closing her eyes, Rose started to sing, and Jerry was right, the words did come to her. They unfolded like the pages in a dusty volume of yesterday's dreams.