They agree to be back to his house by three o’clock. In the garage as Emma starts to get out of the car, Donald, unaccustomed for him, pulls her to...him and kisses her long and deeply. “I’m going to miss you today Emma,” he says, astonishing himself as he says it. But realizes that he will. Emma is such a part of him now; he wants her with him all the time.Emma tells him, smiling, that she will miss him too. “But it is only a few hours until three o’clock,” she replies as she winks at him. . We bought our tickets and waited in line as the sweet scent of cotton candy and carnival treats wafted through the still summer air.We were now at the front of the line and entered our favorite ride at the carnival "The Zipper" a ride with small cages that each spin independently from the other.The ride operator opened the door and we stepped in sitting side by in the contoured hard seat,she locked the bar down and fastened the cage door.Being that Nissa was only around a hundred pounds she was. Ever After was on the TV."Mom, I need a ride NOW!"Mom looked surprised, but after she studied my face a few seconds she struggled to get up. "I'll get my keys." What's wrong?" Dad asked, while Mom put on her shoes."It would really help if this was a don't-ask-don't-tell kind of thing."Dad looked like he was going to argue, then stayed quiet. He probably figured he'd let Mom worm it out of me."Can I come?" The squirt asked from the floor."No!" I said sharply, then softened it. "Not this time.". The Gunny was pressed into service to carve the bird in time for supper at 1800 hours. He did yeoman's work rendering it into neatly sliced pieces, dressing the plates quickly and with consummate skill. Teddy helped him serve the meal."You've missed your calling, Gunny," a fairly drunk Kate told him. "Can you teach Dan how to cook?"The two men shared a grin, and shook their heads simultaneously.Through it all, Elena Collins smiled, and laughed, even teasing Dan about Kate's obvious state of.