GIFT FEATHER

The sun was gone by now, and the moon showed up like a thumbprint on the dark. A light appeared a few hills over — warm and honey gold. An angel, I thought at first, but I realized it had to be a house. The more I stared at it though, I could swear I saw the light furl and unfurl now and then like a set of wings.

It was hard to tell how far the walk was, but the light glowed there like a beacon. We were in Wisconsin. America’s Dairyland. Within the house would be a TV, a table, a set of comfortable chairs. An ordinary living room in which nothing much divine ever happened. I slipped into the cornstalks in its direction. I figured they might have a phone.