At the corner, Gary turned to me and said, "Wait here, I don't want anyone seeing you at the house." Are you ashamed of me?" I said looking cross with...him. I couldn't help it I was feeling playful. "Then why did you ask me out on a date?" What? Ashamed, no I ... Hey, cut it out, that's not funny," he snapped back."Sorry, I was just trying to lighten things up a little." I have to admit, his choice of words did seem to sting just a little."Ok, I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous that's all. I. We talked and I guess Trevon knew of my reputation and asked me if I wanted to come home with him. I'd never been with a black guy, I liked him so I agreed to go home with min. He lived in what we called a Low Rental building not the cleanest or nicest place, we took the elevator up to the 11th floor where he opened the door we walked in to this small apartment, he offered me a drink then made our way to his bedroom. His room was small dirty messy clothes all over the place, the bed was not. Suddenly, we were not nearly so invulnerable as we were just a few days ago.Toward the end of the church service, a representative from the funeral home quietly motioned the pallbearers forward, and the three of us, along with Dr. Osgood and two of Skip's cousins, took our positions by the closed casket. At a signal from the funeral director, we grasped the shiny brass handles and wheeled Skip slowly down the center aisle of the church. When we reached the front steps, we were instructed to. Tom was a few years older than mother, a handsome gentleman and I think the kind of man my mother was comfortable with. She had mingled with a number of wealthy, important people in her former career and wasn’t in awe of them. She seemed quite genuine with our friends and Ardele remarked at how easy she was to talk with. She was still a very attractive woman with an engaging smile and pleasant voice. It was strange to have a family Christmas once more. I hadn’t enjoyed one in years after Dad.