Mary would have been spectacular in burlap but her in a light green off the shoulder gown was an eye-catcher and neck strainer. Because I was a ‘col...ege guy’ we definitely had our entrance and our presence got a lot of attention. We danced all of the slow dances and some of the fast dances.I was pleased that my mother had enrolled me in a ballroom dance after school class when I was a junior in high school. It also helped that Mary had used me for practice when we were both going to dances. We. Then she was off to Maryville and I to thejungle that was an all boys school. Don's size and strength kept mepretty much safe from bullying. A little tutoring of select studentscreated a protective shield around me to allow me do the things Iwanted.I saw Samantha on breaks. They really did a number on her. She was asclose as you could come to an American Lolita. I think she deliberatelywent overboard in a back-assward way to give Mother and gran grief of adifferent sort. I just ignored her.. It crescendoed into a roar. Some vile and hungry demon approached at great speed. Was it a bear? No, this thing was fast. Was it a coyote? No, this thing was large. It sounded like a stampeding herd of a thousand elk, bellowing and stomping their hooves in a rage. Maybe if he stayed completely still, Burt thought, he would be safe. Then again, maybe he should hide himself as quickly as possible. In the instant before he decided to pursue the latter course, Burt caught sight of this blurred. You are no better, nor any less, than any of the other member of the armed forces, well, other than being my son. That’s something.” I nodded. I never forgot that conversation.We did another twenty or so laps then went over and sat in the hot tub for a bit. I asked how the girls were getting along and if anything was going on out of the ordinary. Nothing. Happy, safe, good grades, everything was fine. I took a sip of the drink I had brought in for me. “Just preparing for the June wedding.” I.