He just wished Kelly could be there with him. * * *Thursday came and Paul was told that his farewell party would be thatafternoon. Until then, he...could wear girl attire. He was allowed alittle more time in bed too, seeing that school wasn't on the agenda.Again, he decided to look for things to do, seeing that Laura was busywith housework. She seemed to be spending more time in the kitchen andseemed keen for Paul to keep away. He suspected that it had somethingto do with later on.His voice. I nodded at her, returning her smile. I felt great! She was interested in me! I felt really good with what she had just said. We talked a bit more, and she moved from horse to horse, as we talked."You know, horses are fine; but if you want a work animal, nothing beats a Mule. Missouri Mules, to be exact," I said during a lull in the conversation."Mules? Whatever would you do with mules?" she asked curiously."Oh, you might load them up, and go into the mountains with them. Explore areas that can. "He came out counting on his fingers ... mumbling. "April 1- May 1 ... one. May 1 - June 1 ... two. June1 - July 1 ... three. July 1 - August 1 ... four. August 1 - September 1 ... five. September 1 - October 1 ... six. You owe me for October and then there's November's rent." He had to do it, like, six times because he kept getting lost because of the ones.He looked miffed. "You know ... you two have been so little trouble I've flat forgot it. Like my kids instead of renters."Mina fetched her. She has long dark hair and a dark complexion. Her eyes, however, are a startling green, which really sets off her coloring. Bryan is a lucky boy, I have thought more than once. I hope he appreciates her. He seems to, thank god. I really love these two and I badly want to see them make it as a couple. They seem perfect together.“As you know,” she said, “next Thursday is Bryan’s birthday. I want to do something special for him ... but it’s ... uhm ... I don’t know how to say it. It’s pretty ....