However, there was no denying the fact that they were both ignited by the sheer thrill of leaping into the unknown together, and were now consumed with a childlike sense of adventure.

Of course, their adult sides attempted to assert authority and perform a reality check. Any rational person observing the situation would say that this all seemed more than a bit bizarre, and of course he would be correct. However, this was not a dream from which they would awaken at the end with some remnant of having visited another world. This was real life, and within just a few hours they would discover that this ordinary Wednesday morning would be the most defining few hours of their lives.

As Carolyn exited the airport, she found it impossible to contain her excitement.

“Mitch, I really feel like what we’re doing was meant to be,” she said. “I mean, how could it be that you went through what you did out in Portland at exactly the same time I was meeting with Joanna?”

“I know, honey, but I have to admit that this is pretty weird, and I don’t think we should get our hopes up too much. I don’t really know what to expect from this woman, but I’ll admit I couldn’t get her out of my mind all the way here. But then I couldn’t remember.… What exactly did she say she could do for us?”

“Well, she said that she sometimes knows what’s in people’s minds when they are at turning points. And that she can communicate with people who have passed on. She said she was actually in contact with Danny on that night, and seemed very sad about not being able to stop him.”

“Come on, honey! Do you really think all that could be true?”

“I do. I can’t really explain why I believe that, but I think when you meet her you’ll be convinced as well.” They had now exited the interstate and were headed into downtown Cleveland.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. The break was what they needed. This was a lot to absorb.

“Anyway, Mitch, what have we got to lose by just meeting with her?”

“You’re right,” Mitch replied, and thought about all that had happened yesterday morning and laughed at how quickly he had forgotten. Caterpillar to butterfly. “You’ve got the wheel, honey, and I’m just going along for the ride!”

“Well, we’ve either both gone nuts or we’re driving off into another dimension!” Mitch made the requisite Twilight Zone music as they headed down Fifty-fifth Street and slowed to a crawl so they could check the street numbers.