“That’s true, but it seems to me there’s hardly enough time to shoot all of her assignments, what with two days spent on field trips.”

“Why do you keep looking at my mama?” Sadie asked.

Ben blushed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. Your mama reminds me of my mother, Arlene.”

“Eat your salad, Sadie,” Amelia said.

They were silent for a time, then Ben said, “Did you know that five hundred artists call Santa Fe home?”

Amelia nodded. “I hope we have time to visit the artists’ street before we leave.” She looked at Miriam. “I’d like to get something for Sarina and I want you to pick out something special for your new home.”

“What fun, and thank you.”

“Where do you live?” Ben asked.

“In Covington, on Cove Road, just down the road from Grandma,” Sadie said.

“I plan on renting an SUV and heading down to Bandelier National Monument in Frijoles Canyon in the next few days. They tell me you can stroll right up to old ceremonial kivas.” He looked at Sadie. “But if you want to see the inside of a cave dwelling, you have to climb up to it on a ladder.” He turned to Amelia. “Would you like to drive out there with me, all of you, any of you? There’ll be plenty of room.”

“Climb up to a cave?” Sadie’s eyes grew wide. “Can I go, Mama? Grandma?” She looked at Ben “If we go, can I climb up to a cave?”

“I think not,” Amelia said. “Our schedule seems pretty crowded as it is.”

“We could do our landscape and architecture assignments there. I just bought a zoom lens seventy millimeters to two hundred millimeters. I’d like to climb up to a cave and shoot down into a kiva. I hope the two hundred’s long enough to give me the shot I want. What do you think?”

“It depends on the distance. You’re not into digital, I take it?” Amelia said.

“I have a Canon, and I guess that’s what I’m comfortable with. Digital mystifies me. You into digital?”

“Like you, I’m still using my old manual camera,” Amelia replied. She reconsidered the Bandelier trip. It was something she and Miriam had discussed, and Ben was right, they could do their landscape, architecture, and maybe even people shots there. Still, she was uncomfortable with the idea of making a trip across the desert with someone they hardly knew. Still! “Would you like to go, Miriam dear?”

“Yes, I’d like to go, and I’d like Sadie to see as much of the area as she can.”

“Oh, goody goody.” Sadie clapped her hands.

The waiter brought their pizza and they set to eating. When they were done, Ben asked, “Coffee, anyone?”

“Not for me, thanks. I’m not the least bit tired,” Miriam said.