Third Time’s a Charm

"I know you humans have a saying; 'third time's a charm', but you don't need to take it so literally," came the voice. Wu Bai Hee sat up in the middle of the orchard and turned toward the voice.

"I am sorry," she said, "I didn't expect this to happen."

"Mmm," hummed a beautiful woman coming through the trees. "I don't imagine most people expect to die when they do." The woman looked young, no more than in her 20s. She had long brown hair that was braided around her head like a tiara and wore a long green dress that danced across the grass beneath her feet. She looked and sounded like the softness of spring.

"I can do better," promised Wu Bai Hee as she stood up and curtsied to the Goddess before her. The other woman tipped her head in acknowledgment as she fiddled with the basket of flowers in her arms.