Departure 2.

Rose: “But there had to have been some other reasons…”

Paula: “Well, perhaps…”

Paula: “I don’t really want to mention this, but there was some ‘flattery’ of Merry’s abilities that was involved. Now this was not something new, this happened when Merry was in architecture grad program, though that praise was sandwiched in-between harsh critiques. But Prairie Pug was all over any compliments to her ( self) perceived talents…art, writing…attempted humor..." She was pleased.

Rose: “Do we really want to go there?”

Paula: “well, Merry, I mean Prairie Pug was Dug In deep with a ring so tight one would have had to cut it off. But, one does need some type of acknowledgment and recognition from time to time…”

And, she happened to ‘ring up’ a ‘friend’ of hers from high school while she was in Santa Fe. And if you will remember, SFe was the city to where she kept on driving after the stop in Taos in Departure 1. He really wasn’t even quite a friend…more of an acquaintance. I don’t think Prairie Pug and this gentleman drummer had actually ever spoken to each other in high school. But, he was from Shawnee Mission East and lived in Santa Fe. So, that was enough for her.”

Rose: “So, give me the juicy details?”

Paula: “There are none. Merry was there to see her sister. No big deal, they had breakfast, she parked at his place on Canyon Road to save the $25 parking in town…and I mean, well, maybe there Was some requisite compliment on the website, which was just then in Beta mode. And, he was a journalist, a writer, a musician. It meant alot yet nothing. Prairie Pug was a loyal subject....I mean Merry... was a faithful Rancher's wife."

Rose: “But there had to have been something else…”

Paula: “Well, Prairie Pug realized that NOT everyone had to get married, have children, and buy a home. If it didn’t quite work out this way…

Rose: “What do you mean?”

Paula: “The beat goes on."