These Dreams of You

~ ~ ~

He spends the day loading as much as he can into Roberto’s truck and then his own car. Literature and volumes of history, music, family memorabilia, Viv’s art and photographs, copies of Zan’s four novels, files that include accounts, life insurance policies, past tax records, the kids’ birth certificates and social security numbers. He grabs blankets and a small table and the rocking chair from the family room. He remembers the night that the fire in the canyon swept close enough, and Zan and Viv prepared to evacuate, loading up the car — so they’ve already prioritized things. In their minds, they’ve been on the verge of escaping for years.