"That's right!" I couldn't help giggling."Oh but Darling!" he cried. "I can't let them see me this way! I've gotto have some clothes!" I've been think...ng just the same thing," I smiled, "And I have aninteresting idea! Take off what you're wearing and come with me!" I was dressed very casually, in worn jeans, run-down shoes, and an oldblouse. But Babs hadn't noticed, or if she did, he didn't think muchabout it. She obediently stripped off her corset and shoes andfollowed, stark naked! to the. But who were his friends? Who did he ‘hang’ with. They had asked his brother questions like that, too, using gang-banger slang in a confiding, familiar way, perhaps to show that they understood and empathized. It rankled Tony’s kid brother, who had mostly learned the words from watching the news on television. His friends in the Future Business Leaders of America club meetings at North High never used words like that, except as a joke. The officers left, puzzled when they learned that Tony was. I told my in-laws and everyone else to “shut the Hell up” about it. Case closed.I couldn’t believe how tiny my daughter was—just six pounds and seven ounces, but—man, what an appetite. She suckled like there was no tomorrow. I wanted nothing more than to hold, hug, and kiss my incredible wife. Unfortunately, my in-laws beat me to it. Lucy showed her love in her eyes when she looked up to me just as I hoped she could see my love in mine. ‘I can’t tell you how much I love you right now, but. He was really upset that he couldn't be here." I was so upset. I knew he could have been there. He was his own boss and I knew he just didn't want to be there. I fought back my tears and gave all of my brothers and sisters hugs. I hugged my parents and said my goodbyes. I got in my car and drove the 9 hours to college. Most of the students at the college lived on campus, but my scholarship didn't pay for boarding and it was cheaper for me to rent an apartment. I got a job at a local coffee shop.