The smooth rhythm of the porch swing – so very early in the pre-dawn morning- the intense cold of a Denver winter.

All these combined in Shane's dream filled mind. While most of her felt very cold, her cheek was oddly warm and resting on

some kind of wool. What kind of dream was this?

Her eyes fluttered open to find that she was actually not dreaming , but seated in her new porch swing and leaning against Oliver's winter coat. In fact

Oliver had his arm around the back of the swing and Shane had somehow scooted closer to his side and fallen asleep.

Their eyes met. Oliver's chilled face broke into a smile as he intoned quietly," I should have awakened you, but you seemed so comfortable &

tired…"

Shane pulled up, looking into those kind blue eyes. "How long did I doze off?"

"I'm not sure," Oliver smirked. " To tell the truth, I feel asleep too!" He sighed.

"It's been quite a day…and a night…and a morning!"

They both reluctantly stood up and watched the new swing come slowly to a stop.

Oliver walked to the side of the porch and retrieved Shane's box filled with her personal office items. "May I place these in your foyer?"

Shane smiled ." That would be nice." She noted their words coming out as puffs of cold air.

She opened the door and Oliver stepped in far enough to place the box just inside and stepped back out.

"That warm air feels good. I hope you will take a long rest today, Ms McInerney and I will see you bright and early on Monday…but not this early,"

he joked.

Shane stepped towards Oliver. He looked into her eyes and then she knelt down and reached into the box of office items. She chose the letter opener,

stood up and handed it to Oliver. He smiled a soft smile and reached for it. As he grasped it, Shane did not let go and as they stared at one another,

something passed between; a type of silent understanding that things were going to be different from now on. And that that would be good. Some things

remain familiar like this letter opener, and that too would be good.

Shane stood in the door frame and looked at Oliver. Part of her still could not believe the events of the past day. She unconsciously looked down at his

finger, and his gaze quickly followed hers there. Lifting his hand slightly, they both looked at the empty ring finger. She smiled cautiously. He did a brief

nod and bid her good night.

As Shane prepared to crawl into her bed an hour later, she noted that the sun was beginning to rise in the east. She closed her window shade and looked

down at her cell phone. 5 missed messages?

Shane listened carefully. They were all from Rita.

The first one was mostly sobs and words that were unintelligible.

The second one was more together, with Norman in the background trying to

give her suggestions as to what to say.

The third one was Rita, with sniffing after every other word, asking Shane to please call her.

The fourth one was Rita again apologizing for calling so late, but she and Norman had stayed up late talking and Rita got all upset again about Shane

leaving and so…

Shane did not wait for the fifth message but hurriedly texted Rita in case she had fallen asleep.

Rita. I just got your messages. I am so sorry you were both so upset. I was, too.

But things have changed and I am not leaving the DLO! After you get some rest,

call me, and I will explain. I love you both, Shane