Mitch broke down his drums, and Ryan and Nate gathered up their patch cords and effects pedals before putting their guitars in cases. "Wow. I can't be...ieve it's here." Nate shook his head as he snapped the case shut on his guitar, then moved to do the same for his bass. "I know, and I can't believe how relaxed I am. Mostly," Ryan said. Lara held Ryan's laptop while the latter put the keyboard in its case, then put away her guitar. "Funny how taking the asshole out of the equation makes things. "Not now, colonel," said the brigadier sternly but reluctantly. "I have other duties to attend to." Of course, sir," said Vashti, removing her hand. "I shall see you at the wrestling match at Twenty Hundred Hours Universal Time."She saluted her commanding officer who acknowledged her in kind and strode off.Colonel Vashti had been training at the Pynchon military colony in Earth orbit for several months now and there weren't many more months left yet until she and the other soldiers would set. " I started out with good ones and I sharpen them." Novel!" Jen said. "Uh, since I gave you Kim, do I get free knife sharpening?"Kim giggled. "Uh, Aunt Jen, about THAT, Tim and I were talking last night..."Jen snorted. "You stopped long enough to TALK?"Kim's faked outrage. "Uh, AUNT Jen! I'm SURE! We're NOT just about SEX!" 'Just'?!?!" Jen laughed.I was loving this because BOTH of the participants in this exchange were smiling."ANYWAY," Kim continued, "traditionally speaking, you, as my parent,. "Well, which would you be more comfortable with?" You can come however you wish. You will be welcome here either way." I am surprised, but pleased by your offer. Let me think on this. Are you sure Marie will be accepting?"He chuckled, "Yes, Marie will be just fine with what you decide."We ended the call and I started contemplating what to do.I finally decided, Yes! I am going to show up as Dawn. If that turns out to be a problem, I will simply go find a hotel room.First, I had to make an.