I’d better go to the bathroom again, said Prudy.  She got up and left the table.

All at once, Bea heard the text tone jingle on her phone.  She scurried into her purse to answer it.

“It’s Dad reminding us to come right home after school,” said Bea.

They were sitting in the school newspaper office once again.  The restaurant, the gypsy woman, Prudence…they were all gone.  But, it had been a wonderful adventure.

“What are you going to write about for the paper, Bea?” asked Purity quietly.

“I think, that I’m going to write about love.  What it REALLY looks like.  Help me remember what Prudence did today.  Help me remember everything she did that was loving.

The list became very long.  Here is what it said:

• The magic of love is in all the little details.
• A person who loves you makes you feel comfortable, safe and wanted.
• When you meet this person, they are a happy person.  They are happy alone AND they are happy with someone.
• This person does not pressure you. This person allows you to explore your world and they allow you to be yourself.
• They are giving: they give their time, attention, money – they lighten your burdens.
• They are honest and do not hide the truth of a situation.  They don’t avoid the truth, they face it, head on. They know that real wisdom is the ability to see what is true from what is false.
• They want your happiness.
• They ACTIVELY love you.  They may make mistakes, but they learn from them.
• They give each other strength: you and your partner are “equally yoked.”
• You feel protected and taken care of by this person.
• You can trust and rely on this person. This person says and does what they say they are going to: they are consistent.
• You just feel good whenever you are around them.
• They do not stop loving you, no matter what.

“Now, that’s an article that I BOTH cannot wait to read and cannot wait to cut out and keep someplace safe.” said Purity softly.

“Where would you keep it?” asked Bea smiling.

“Oh, I guess between the pages of one of my school books.  Since our trip to Paris, I’ve been practicing my French more frequently,” said Purity, pulling out her French textbook.  She opened it and a single red rose dropped from between the pages.

They looked at each other.

“I bet mine is in my world history book,” remarked Bea.  Sure enough, it was there stuck between the pages about ancient Rome.

“Prudence is still with us and her love is with us everyday as long as we remember her and all her loving ways,” said Purity.  Purity grabbed her French book and her book bag.  “I’ll meet you at the truck after school.”

“Ok,” said Bea. “Oh Purity -”

“Yes…”

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” said Bea.

“You too Bea,” smiled Purity.

Bea started typing.  It all came so easily now and she let it just flow out of her.  As she finished, she could hear her teacher’s old boom box hitting a solitary piano note over and over.  She knew the song.  Prudence had sent it to them many times.  She finished her byline and then listened.