I was beginning to doubt that persistence would pay off when I tried once again to activate the Trump of Sand. It started out the same. I felt a far away numbness, the beginning of a Trump contact. Surely she was blocking again, but this time something wavered and the cold broke through. She had accepted my Trump. She was a bit perturbed, understandably. I quickly made clear the fact that I was contacting her alone this time, and that I did not want to embroil her in any sort of political situation. I was merely trying to open communication. She was skeptical at first, but soon warmed to conversation.

When we were done speaking a felt a little more relaxed. Open communication felt good. I only hoped I'd have as much luck with Jasra. I slept well that night and was awoken early by a Trump call from Jessica.