The Dirt Peddler (32 page)

Holding the box in one hand, he opened the top with the other. As he tilted the box, a wisp of grey dust tentatively escaped and then, as the box tipped further, the wisp became a small grey cloud, which quickly dissipated, joining the wind as it rushed out over the valley.

“So long, Randy,” Jonathan said.

He stood looking out over the valley for a long moment, then slowly closed the box and turned back to join me.