48.

   As we lifted into the sky, Raymond looked at us longingly. “Godspeed.”, he sighed.
   Godspeed, indeed, I thought, waving good-bye. How do you introduce yourself to a goddess without putting your foot in your mouth?
   “How did you meet Raymond?”, asked Claudia.
    “He introduced himself in the middle of a river.”
    “He found you when you were lost.”, she said with conviction. 

    "He saved our lives." I answered somewhat guiltily.

    "He has saved my live more than once.", smiled Claudia.

    It was late in the day as we drifted over the clouds. “This is a bit awkward,”, I stammered, “but I don’t even know if you are real or not. This world I’ve found myself in is unlike anything in my world.”
   “And you have a problem with that?” 
   “Sometimes I do but not at the moment.”
   “Well, that’s a relief!”, laughed Claudia. “Let’s relax and watch the sunset. There’s plenty of time to get to know each other. Perhaps you will join me for dinner. Are you hungry?”
   “Very much. I haven’t eaten anything since...”. I paused to think. “I haven’t eaten anything in your world.”
   She lifted a blanket to expose a brazier. It was almost magic to watch her saute a pan of shellfish as the sun began to set. And it was a wonderful sunset. I was awed at the explosion of color and form. We ate in reverent silence as the sun slowly extinguished itself in glorious abandon while a full moon rose to replace it.