I

Tuco considered the opening of Chapter 1.
"One of the huge imbalances in life
is the disparity between your daily existence,
with its routines and habits,
and the dream you have deep within yourself
of some extraordinarily satisfying way of living."¹

How does one, he thought, dream without acting?
He shifted in the saddle and glanced out across the valley before him.
And suddenly realized how his daily life aligned with his idea
of some extraordinarily satisfying way of living. He had it all
and couldn't imagine living any other way!

He nudged the horse's flank
and they began the slow, steady descent into the valley.
Smoke curled from the cabin's chimney
and he knew Arlu would be watching the trail close to the clearing
before the cabin.

He thought of the letter in his pocket.
Arlu would be saddened by the news of Rose's passing.
And angry with the senseless loss of her talent to bad alcohol in a strange land.²

Tuco had come to admire Rose's talent when he was doing his cowboy poet thing
some years back. She was dedicated to her craft
and to her community of friends.
He'd forgotten she'd left town but the other article Brian sent mentioned it.³

II  

Tuco pondered a passage in the book:
"This absence of balance between dreams and habits
may be very subtle. It doesn't necessarily reveal itself
in obvious symptoms of heartburn, depression, illness,
or anxiety - it's more often something that feels like
an unwelome companion by your side,
which continually whispers to you
that you're ignoring something...."¹

The horse neared the trail area that Arlu would be watching.
Tuco paused to gather himself. This would be hard.

Tuco began to move forward. The wind settled down
and he saw Arlu glance out the window, then wave.
He nodded back as he rode toward the cabin.

She'd be waiting at the foot of the steps
before he turned the corner past the trees
ringing the cabin.

III

Tuco turned that corner pondering life others live,
"When you live your life going through the motions,
it may seem to be convenient,
but the weight of your dissatisfaction creates
a huge imbalance in the only life you have now...."¹

Arlu read his face as he rode toward her.
She didn't know what bad news he brought
but that poker face brought bad news.

He pulled the horse up to the rail, climbed down,
tied the reins to the rail and turned to her.
Hugged her, kissed and hugged again.
Then he simply handed the notes and articles from Brian to her.
She read and began to tear up as she read.

When she finished reading, they held each other for a while.
Then, without speaking, turned and went inside.

Tuco was sad, but felt blessed
with the balance Arlu brought to the only life he has now.