"We left the restaurant shortly thereafter with our food in hand. As wewere walking out I saw Danny give me a small smile, and I couldn't helpbut retu...n it with one of my own. Hopefully he'd be working over thesummer so I could come and chat with him sometime.#The bags that contained my new wardrobe lay scattered about my room. Acat would be having a field day with all of them if we owned one. I couldjust picture the furry little thing pouncing on all the bags and rollingaround inside them.Once. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. Sad, really. I lay on the bed, thinking about the upcoming semester. I had no idea what I was going to do. I'd registered for classes rather haphazardly, not actually expecting to be back to take them. Funny how dreams of life with Alicia had taken over. Now I was back, and I was alone.It didn't hurt so much. More the throbbing ache of an old injury. Not enough pain to prevent me from eventually drifting off to sleep.The next morning I awoke to brightness and. I stopped and listened, not a sound anywhere.I looked around at her neatly made up bed, a tall chest of drawers to my left and straight ahead there was a dresser with a large mirror. I looked for a hamper but didn’t find it so decided there was only one way to discover the secrets of her slips. I tip toed across the carpet as if someone would hear and stood at the dresser. Lying on top was her hair brush with a few strands of her long blond hair. I knew her hair was soft because I would feel it. If your father was here... , “ she tried before having to stop.“I know, Mom. I’ve felt his presence all along. I knew what was expected of me and I knew I had to live up to his reputation. That’s what made it all possible. He may not have been here in person, but he was with me along in spirit.”I got a tearful smile and a big hug from Mom in agreement.Like most companies, the news leaked out regarding my appointment well before the October meeting. I had a number of people in the office and in.