Dimitri leans unseen against the inside of the barn. Beyond the yellow glow of the floodlight, the black and moonless night blows a stiffening breeze that tells of the coming storm. The corn sways tall and dark with the dry rattling sounds of an impending harvest. Dimitri is a town boy, and he loves the serenity and unity here, something he does not have in town. It is a place where he can put aside all of the doing that is expected and simply be present.

Chip plays and the liquid saxophone melody begins to flow, filling the barn and meeting with the wall of the ghostly lit field beyond. He knows this tune well and does not struggle with it.

Dimitri takes in the music and watches his friend as he plays. Chip’s eyes are closed, and his fingers work with precision as he moves to the music. Dimitri wonders if he, himself is ever immersed in anything the way Chip is now. Immersed to the place where there are no thoughts, no distractions, no fear, nothing outside of what you are now in this moment, this brief and present reality, this one point of totality.

Dimitri looks away at the dark field and sees the lightning overhead and hears the other night sounds that accompany the song. He closes his eyes, listens, and, for this brief time, concentrates on not thinking.