Are you hurt?"She shook her head no.We sat in the store's lot for maybe five minutes until her sobs began to subside. I asked her. "What was that all ...bout? Would you like to call the police?"She again shook her head no."Would you like to get something to eat or drink?"No. I ... I don't have ... I don't think so." I'll buy." I interrupted.A slight smile crossed her lips. "Could I please have a Coke? If you don't mind, I think I'd like a Coke."She agreed when I suggested she use the store's. “Where are the kids?”Tara smile almost wickedly. “Joni is at Kera’s and Galen is in bed.”“Already?” he asks, surprised to hear that.“He said he was tired, besides Santa won’t come if he’s awake,” Tara says.“He’s a bit too old for believing in Santa,” Rufus fires back. “And why is Joni over at her friend’s?”“Let the boy have his fun,” Tara teases. “And Joni is over there because, well, you know kids. You were one too.”“Yeah,” the man chuckles at the thought. “I was, and I’m feeling like one. “Yes sir?” the waitress said.“Do you have Champagne here?” I asked.“Yes. Would you like me to bring two glasses?” she asked.“No. I think we’ll take two bottles and check out.” I said.The waitress smile slyly, turned and headed to fill the order. Jean looked up at me.“Champagne! What’s the occasion or should I ask?” Jean said.“We are going home to toast the end of our miserable lonely lives for better tomorrows.” I said.“Oh? And how do you propose to end our miserable lonely lives? Have you. Hopefully, it would let me and the car air out a bit. There was never anyone behind me, so it worked just fine.I parked in the driveway at Kim’s house and headed up the steps to her door. Kim opened it after I rang the bell and invited me inside. We went into the kitchen and found her parents at the table drinking coffee. I said, “Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy.”Mr. Murphy said, “Hi, John. Please call us Sean and Claire. We’re not so big on formality around here. Though I hear you are planning to.