" He led me back in."Aren't you going to school?" Ellie said as we walked in to the kitchen."I am," Mike said, "But Ed needs to talk to you." You're a...psychologist registered with the school, you can give me a note," I joked."Is this a business call?" Ellie said."Yeah," I admitted."Sit down," she said, pointing to the kitchen table. Mike said bye to us and took off. "You want a coke?" Yeah, Ellie, thanks."She got me one, and one for herself, then sat down across from me at the table. "OK, Ed,. I don't want secrets between us. I know I have feelings for you and you seem to have them for me but I can't just drop my life like that." Are you going to tell Jerry about us? You know, going out last Saturday." Yes, I'm not hiding secrets from either of you. I told him on the phone this morning that I went out with an old friend and he just said he wasn't giving up on me that easily."I took a deep breath. I know it was hard for her to tell me. It was even harder to hear. I had to realize that. . .”“No you’re not, you put your feelings ahead of your daughters and now I’m paying the price. It is what it is, go have . . . hmm, oh.” I groaned, bending over as the toy vibrated inside of me.“Lucy are you okay?” my father worriedly asked.“Yeah, muscle spasm I think. Go have fun dad.”Hurriedly, I walked outside and found Carter with Damon, of course. I motioned him over behind my stepbrother’s back and smiled when he found an excuse to come over to me.“Give me the remote.” I said, watching. She was going to college in DC so that she could be close to him and he couldn't disappoint her. He'd promised her a romantic dinner together ... and more, but she didn't know that yet.Jethro had left a bag at her small rental. He had seventy-two hours leave and just one thing to pick up. Ten minutes later, he'd changed and was in his car, making his way to DC and what he hoped was the next phase of his life.Shannon was in her last semester, student teaching. She'd been leasing an apartment.