I dreamt of Casimir on several nights. My dreams comforted me as I slept, and I felt like a boat sailing on a peaceful river. All was well, and something told me that I was floating in the right direction. There were many occasions when I envisioned the two of us walking through the meadows near my house. They seemed to go on forever, and I never could recall reaching a destination. Were we on a journey? Or were we prancing through the fields leisurely, enjoying the surrounding tranquility?
In one of those dreams, he and I strolled along, hand in hand. Suddenly, Casimir said to me, “Essie, I have to go back. I forgot something. I promise, I’ll return. Just don’t leave. Wait for me.â€? His tone was earnest and sincere, but also somewhat nervous. Still, I nodded. He held a pocket watch, and he handed it to me. “I’ll be back when noontime comes,â€? he told me, and receded back. I watched until his figure faded into the distance and I could see him no longer.