I usually would have been at work for hours yet, but I had felt a bit off this morning, and had decided to take a sick day.Alexis was home with her ch...ld; she was used to having the day to herself. I had a vague idea we could have coffee and chat for a bit, either that I could just chill in front of the computer by myself. I didn’t particularly mind, it was just nice to have the day off.I didn’t try to be quiet as I unlocked the door and let myself in, but at the same time I wasn’t. Karate Dave hadn’t had a single person interested in his karate lessons. I tore one of the phone numbers off and jammed it in my pocket just to give him a boost if he returned and saw that at least one person had shown interest.Another note caught my attention, practically buried on the board that obviously hadn’t been updated since the mid-eighties. It said, ‘new and used training and supplies’. I wondered how one could sell used training, however I snapped a picture of the ad with my phone. "Sure doesn't," Todd added, and then led them into the trees.They walked along, at first walking through so much familiar territory. Landmarks were plentiful, with big stones, and trees with initials carved into them played out like a map. They had walked most of the woods south of the river, but had not been to the other side. It had not rained for weeks, and the water level was low. As they emerged from the trees and looked at the river, the thought occurred to each of them at the same. We chatted about new teachers and gossip around town, while kids wandered in and out, dismissing themselves for various reasons. ‘And he just divorced his wife, and now he’s dating some dental hygienist he works with,’ Mrs. Cirino went on. ‘How old is she?’ another woman prodded, as I smiled listening to their cackling gossip. ‘She’s straight out of school, or whatever you have to do to get whatever the hell certificate you need to be a dental hygienist. She can’t be anymore than 23,’ she.