"Dammit, Billy, I ain't crazy, and neither is yer grandmaw! It weren't the wind playin' tricks on me. I heard that flute and it is what brought me down the mountain. Aunt Kathy'd prob'ly be dead now otherwise." Louie glared at Billy across the table in the hospital cafeteria. Aunt Kathy had been moved back to her room last night after surgery, and the boys had sat with her all night. Louie had kept quiet about the flute as they had all sat and waited during Kathy's surgery, not sure what to make of his experience. But when Aunt Kathy woke this morning, still groggy and on morphine, she had talked of Cassie coming to her, of Cassie summoning Louie with the flute. Weird and spooky as it sounded, Louie knew she had to be telling the truth. It fit exactly with what he had experienced.

Zeke had come up to the room just a while ago, so the boys had come down here to give him a little time with Kathy alone. Louie had just told Billy about how the sound of Cassie's flute had lead him to head on down to the little house, thinking Billy would take Kathy's conversation as confirmation. But Billy was obviously skeptical. "Tell you what," said Billy, wanting to pacify his friend, who had indeed rescued his grandmother. "Let's give Aunt Kathy a few days to get her mind clear. Then she can tell us what happened." Louie knew Billy was just humoring him, but was too tired right now to press his point. The boys headed back up to the hospital room. It was fine for Zeke to have a little time with Kathy, but they both knew that a little Zeke went a long way where Kathy was concerned.

Zeke stood when they cam back into the room, and handed Billy a package. "Make a thermos of tea with this and bring it in every day for Kathy to drink as much as she wants. Don't say nuthin' to the nurses about it, though." He turned back to take his leave of Kathy, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Thanks for bringing the comfrey root, Zeke" she said with a weak smile. I'm not worried about my kidney's, I just want my bones to heal fast so I can get home. These doctors don't know everything. "She waved weakly as he went out the door.