The morning begins with thoughts of the cobra and the cryptic messages of the floating face. River's thoughts go to the dream visions of the eagle in flight.
~

Watching my breath, I relaxed. My heart memory replayed the dream vision. I followed it like a story in the movie theater of my inner sight. 

Was I the lone eagle? Would I ever find what I have always been seeking? I wondered if that's what happens when you die? Do you finally see 'The Mystery' and then disappear into the light? Did the second eagle that appeared in the dream's conclusion have the meaning of a future long-term relationship? Am I about to meet my beloved? What does the soaring together into the sun represent? Forever together? 
~

River stops at a market to fill his tank and buy a cigar. His good and evil angels get him in trouble when he meets a lovely woman. 

~

In line with me was the most stunningly beautiful woman I had the pleasure to notice in a very long time. Tall, nice body, and tight jeans! The kind of charm you see in movies shined all about. 

I was indeed stunned.

My little inside voices of better and worse angels were off the charts, 'Stop looking at her like that.'

'I'm not objectifying her ass!'

'Who said anything about her ass?'

'Holy Mother! You're right. What a perfect ass it is!'

'That's not... Stop looking at her that way! What's wrong with you?'

"Holy Mother!" I blurted out loud! 

The woman turned upon hearing my words. 

"Hi," she responded with a smirk of a smile and a comfortable, smooth voice. 

She looked again at me and declared, "I know you want to talk to me."

Holding the fat cigar, I stumbled on my words and unthinkingly replied, "Do you smoke?" 

"Not tobacco," she chuckled in response with a darling smile.

Her beauty and precious energy rushed blood to my head; I started feeling a little dizzy from no sleep, anxiety, or something. Leaning to one side, I had to catch myself as if drunk. 

"You okay?" she asked, honestly concerned.

"I am fine, thanks. There is a flip I need to switch; I mean... It is just… I'm nervous. You are attractive and so friendly. I want to get to know you better, but I'm having difficulty getting my mouth to work. I'm charmed. I want to keep engaging with you, so we could get to know each other better," related with open honesty, soft words of clarity, and kind tones of character.

"I like an honest man. I'm Luna," she said with delight. 

"I'm River," I nervously replied, loud enough for all to hear, stopping her in her tracks. 

I am not sure why I lied about my name. 'My old name was just not me anymore. I am not the former me. I am creating something different and much better,' I thought quickly to justify my stupidity.  

Luna took several steps towards me, handing over the bag of groceries and shoving them firmly into my chest. She looked me in the eyes and asked if I would like to talk more over dinner. 

Everybody in line, frozen in place, was waiting for me to reply. 

"Okay," I answered. The entire room exhaled at once.

"Okay," she replied with a quizzical look. 

"Holy Shit," I thought - hearing myself unconsciously say it aloud.  

"Come on; we have to hurry," Luna emphasized loudly. "I want to show you my place, plus I have to get ready; I am going out later tonight to read poetry at a community thing we have in Ukiah."

"Holy Shit!" I said again, uncontrollably. "I am going to the same event."

"Really? Great then, follow me," she answered. "I am only a few minutes from here. Poetry is medicine, you know!"

Sometimes in life, things spontaneously arise that profoundly change that life forever. 

It's known in an instant and cannot be undone.