Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina

The last thing I hear is my flute’s trilling notes, then everything goes black. When the blackness lifts, the sun hovers above the horizon. Daisy raises her head and laps my hand as if to say, Welcome back. In the house, I see Henry holding a paper from his backpack, and Mom and Dad bending over it. It’s the same moment as when I left, but it feels different, as if I’ve brought some of Josefina’s love for this place back with me to see it through her eyes.

I climb down from the rock, Daisy at my heels, and look at the distant hills, the three rounded spires pointing to the sky. Maybe Dad and I will hike out there tomorrow. I have a feeling this desert holds more adventures, and I’m ready to find them.