Zoe ran the brush through her long, dark hair and told her reflection in the bathroom mirror, "Once I see Rebecca, I'm not thinking about Ste ye hah, Takota, or that stupid ritual. Once I see Rebecca, I'm not thinking about Ste ye hah...." 

Takota sent her more messages today than he did in a whole month. Each text was manic in its Caps Lock excitement and overuse of exclamation points. 

'Z, I FEEL SO GOOD NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT ME!!!!' 

'I HAVE A CRYSTAL AND AN EAGLE FEATHER; YOU NEED TO BRING THE WATER AND BOWL!!!' 

'GRANDMA KEEPS TELLING ME WE NEED TO MAKE AMENDS WITH STE YE HAH TONIGHT!!!!' 

Zoe responded to that one with, 'NO!!! I'm going out with REBECCA, so Ste ye hah can wait for another day!!!' 

Around the hundredth text, Takota agreed she could go on the date but that the ritual needed to be done sooner rather than later. She didn't think it would work since she didn't believe Ste ye hah was real. Whatever she saw Tuesday must be explainable beyond a legend that the Shaman told them. If only Price could speed up the DNA testing process and give her some real answers. 

"...Takota or that stupid ritual." She finished the mantra and lifted her hand to knock on Rebecca's front door. Her whole-body trembled from excitement. 

The red door burst open before her knuckles met the wooden surface. 

A punk-rock angel stood in the door's frame. The white dress flowed to the ground behind her with the front climbing above her knees. Her red hair spiked from her head like a crown of fire. Rebecca's ensemble wouldn't be complete without her paint splotched combat boots and red shawl. 

Rebecca smiled as they gazed into eachothers eyes. "Well?" 

"I'm sorry, what?" Zoe could feel her face heat up. 

"I asked if you are ready to go?" 

"Yeah. Um, you look amazing." 

"Thanks." Rebecca hooked her arm through Zoe's, and they headed down the path to the car. "Are you wearing mascara?" 

Zoe never bothered with makeup because it made her face itch and later break out with pimples. Tonight, was different. She wanted to highlight her best facial features with mascara, eyeshadow and pink tinted, cherry ChapStick that kept her lips soft and supple. 

"Uh, yeah. Does it look bad?" 

She shook her head. "I just haven't seen it on you before. Pretty." 

Zoe opened the Jetta's door for Rebecca. The ride went by quickly as they talked about classes and recent things they are working on. 

Rimrock Museum is a two-story structure with concrete curves and round glass windows. It reminded Zoe of the buildings on the Flintstones right down to its circular shape. Zoe visited the Museum once when she was young, but it didn't interest her because she didn't find any insects on display. 

A gentle thrum of splashing water came from the clear liquid spouting out of a red and green metal salmon into the pond under it. Along the walkway stood alternating firethorn bushes and summer snowflake viburnums. 

Cool air inside the museum caused Zoe's skin to prickle along her arms and neck. The smell of paper, acrylic and acetone colored the air with its unique scent. 

"Beka!" A blonde girl strolled over with a few of her friends in tow. They rubbed their hands together and chattered like a group of Katydids. 

"Hi Maddy! I didn't think you were coming tonight." 

Her blue eyes darted to Zoe and back to Rebecca. "Last minute change in plans. I saw your painting and it's stunning." 

"Thank you." Rebecca's smile was infectious, and Zoe felt her lips curl into a grin. "Maddy, this is Zoe Thornton." 

"Ah, the Muse." 

"What?" Zoe glanced between the two friends. 

Maddy smiled and held her hand out. "Nice to finally meet you. I've seen you at school with that tall guy." She leaned in close. "I thought you two were a couple." 

"Takota and I?" Zoe kept the look of disgust off her face. 

The blonde smiled. "Is that his name?" 

Zoe was positive her best friend would give his left arm to overhear this conversation. "Yeah, Takota Sohappy has been my best friend since we were five. He's very much single." 

"Well, good for Rebecca that you were available to come check out her work. It wouldn't be the same without you." 

"I'm looking forward to seeing what she's created." 

"Go check it out and we will catch up with you later." 

"Nice meeting you." 

Rebecca took hold of her hand and laced their fingers together--sending tingles down her arm. "Let's go before someone else stops us." 

Art wasn't her thing, but she enjoyed watching Rebecca in her element. They passed pictures of farms, the forest and even a naked man who looked as uncomfortable as Zoe felt looking at him. 

"There it is!" Rebecca led her over to a large canvas. 

Zoe's mouth fell open in shock. The painting was of her out in the forest with red and black butterflies nesting in her hair and on the tip of her finger. 

"That explains the muse comment." She didn't think she was pretty, but in this image she was beautiful. 

"Do you like it?" 

"I... it's...yeah, I do." 

Her throaty giggle warmed Zoe's insides. "That is exactly the response I was hoping for." 

"I mean, no." 

Rebecca gasped. "What?" 

"I love it." She leaned in to peck Rebecca's cheek, but the artist captured her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Zoe fantasized about this moment more times than she cared to count but nothing could compare to the sweet warmth of her touch. 

The art tinted air filled her nose as the moment between them came to an end. 

"Rebecca, there you are my dear," bellowed a woman that reminded Zoe of a flamingo with her pink dress and black pumps. She strutted over like she was a model. The two gave each other a kiss on both cheeks in greeting. 

"Is this her?" 

Rebecca nodded and said, "Vanessa Comfrey, this is Zoe Thornton, my date." 

"Enchante," Vanessa said as she held her hand out. 

Zoe shook the strange woman's hand. "Nice to meet you." 

"You too, you too. What do you think of the painting? I believe her piece is the best new artist work ever shown here. Fabulous, just fabulous I say." 

Zoe placed a hand on her chest. "I'm not only flattered but moved by her work." 

"As you should." The flamingo's pink lips drew into a smile. 

Zoe jolted as her phone vibrated against her hip and rang her mom's cell phone song. "Sorry, I have to take this." 

"Okay, but don't be too long. There are some people I'd like to introduce you to." 

She stepped out onto the second-floor balcony. "Hi Mom." 

"Zoe," her voice sounded panicked. "I need you to come to the hospital right now." 

"Is it Dad? Is he okay?" Her voice raised several octaves. 

"He's alive, but not breathing on his own." 

A lump formed in her chest, squeezing the air from her. "I'll be there in a few minutes." 

"Hurry, Baby Girl." 

She must have looked terrible because Rebecca asked, "Is everything okay?" 

"No, I... I have to go." 

"At least tell me why." Rebecca gently squeezed her shoulder. 

"It's my dad. He's in the hospital." 

"Oh, no." 

"I need to go, can you--" 

"You're shaking like a leaf and in no condition to drive," she took the keys from Zoe's hand. "I will drive you there." 

Zoe's voice broke as she said, "This is your big night, I don't want to take you from it." 

"You are the reason I painted well enough to be featured here. I want to take care of my Muse." 

Zoe's chin trembled. "Thank you, for everything." 

"My pleasure. Now let's go."