Plans were made and Sylvia started to transform into a creature with wings. She performed monumental fall cleaning so that after she'd gone no one could say she wasn't an excellent housekeeper. She stocked the freezer with enough meals for George for six months. And all the while, her heart flittered and flew.

On the Sunday before Sylvia would fly off with her new friends, she and George were sitting at the table having breakfast when Juan and Carlos joined them outside. Sylvia felt the fingers of guilt squeeze her heart.

"You know, George, the hummingbirds really do talk to me," she said.

"You're getting crazier by the minute, Syl," he said.

"George, why don't you ever believe me?" she asked.