“Yes.” Dori gave no other details about the crafting process; she likened the sound of the sticks to dry bones clicking together. She knew that wood would be better received than bleached skeletons dangling from bits of twine… a far less creepy alternative. “I could make you one,” she offered. “Metal chimes don’t take the elements well out here.” She looked at the sky and thought about the summertime. Her first summer in Nevada was only two years prior so she remembered the surprise of the heat. That kind of temperature had to be experienced to be believed.

“Before, I lived in Chicago with my brother. He doesn’t like it here, I can tell. He lies to save my feelings.”