I wrapped a towel aroundmyself and went downstairs to meet my mother.My mom was waiting for me in the living room. She looked excited asshe stood wit... her hands on her hips and a lit cigarette between herfingers. She was wearing a knee-length gray wool skirt with a blue v-neck sweater. The string of peals which had become a part of her dailyensemble years ago graced her neck. Her eyes danced behind her glassesand her highlighted hair swung as she asked what took me so long."I wanted to. “I do not know what this weekend thing is, my lord, but if you tell me you will be back to see me in two nights, then I will wait for you. I do enjoy being with you very much, my lord,” she said.“And I enjoy being with you as well Azizah,” he said. “I will be back to see you, my princess, I promise you. But we still have tonight, so let’s make the best of it, shall we?”“Of course, my lord. What shall you have me do for you this evening?” she asked, smiling her beautiful smile.He walked her over. "Jimmy," he said, turning to the boy to his left. "You keep a lookout by the door. Brad, you take the back door, just in case. That leaves me and you, Tommy. I'll let you go first."Tommy looked at his friend and hesitated for a minute. He looked down at Mary, and then back to Mike."What's the matter?" Mike asked. Tommy stammered. "What? You don't want me watching? Fine, I'll turn my back."He turned away from them and Tommy smiled awkwardly at Mary, who quickly averted her eyes. He fumbled with. A van screeched to a stop by the side of the highway. I barely absorbed what it looked liked—gray, boxy, some sort of logo on the sliding side door. I just sprang at the passenger door, grasped the chrome-plated handle, and wrenched it open.“Oh, thank Christ,” I gasped as I hurtled inside, water dripping down my face. My clothes clung to me, squishing against the seat. The hail pounded on the roof. Ice chucks the size of marbles drummed on the hood, leaving little divots in the metal.A small.