We calmed down and hugged, the stage having been set for the coming Friday, when she would break a date with me to go out with Alan instead. The break...p day would be the following Friday, when Gerri would break the news to me during a dinner date.I'd kept Kendall up to date on the progress of the breakup. And I tried not to notice that her flirting and teasing were decreasing the closer the ending date with Gerri approached.It came to be two days before the climactic event, and I couldn't help. We got to talking and I found that we had way more in common than the two of us ever had. He is my age, which as you know, is seven years younger than you. I know what happened with your first wife, and also know that I promised you that I would not hurt you like that. I'm sorry, but I must hurt you again.It really hasn't been that quick of a romance, since he transferred here in December, just after Thanksgiving when you had left for your tour. It is now August, and we have only known each. You two be sleeping in the same room and all, you know."She pointed to the bed. Laura swallowed. She sat the suitcase down, afraid she would drop it. Chanitra's infectious smile never left her face. She wasn't hostile, or any less friendly. Just curious, it seemed."Really," Chanitra said, trying to reassure her. "I can see I upset you. Didn't mean to. I... kinda even had a question, that's all." I didn't mean to look at you that way," Laura said, almost under her breath, deeply ashamed."I don't. But I justcouldn't concentrate; I kept feeling so antsy."Would you please watch yourself, young man!" the old woman exclaimedwhen I bumped her the third time. I realized I was rocking back andforth again.By now, they were almost at the check-out stand. I stood still, lettingspace build up between my cart and the old woman.The young lady with the old woman was piling goods on the conveyor beltof the check-out stand, and I kept telling myself, I really should behome doing homework, when I.