"I love you, Mom," he said, collapsing on the bed and wrapping his arms around me."I love you too, son," I replied, feeling so safe and secure in my s...n's arms.I closed my eyes and faded back to slumber, feeling content and warm in a way I had not felt in years......When I woke up, Michael was gone to school and I reflected on what I had done. Many times in my life the day after has been an 'Oh my God I can't believe I did that,' followed by anxiety and guilt. Surprisingly, after committing. "Yes, Tony?" Mr. Walker said with a small sigh."Can I request an assignment?" I asked eagerly."What?" I want to cover districts for swimming." Huh?" Mr. Walker looked confused.Tami got it before he did. "No way. I'll cover districts. Tony can come along and take pictures." Oh, God," he groaned and turned toward his desk.Tami and I grinned at each other, then she gave me a small kiss, and I went back to my pictures.I wondered if no one else showed up for the district meet if Lake won. Lali ke muh se bhi jyada aawaz nahin nikal rahi thi. Maine Lali se puchha, muh khol doon. Usne apna sir haan mein hila diya. Maine puchha, chillaogi to nahin. Usne apna sir na mein hila diya. Maine Lali ka muh khol diya aur uske muh se kapda bahar nikal liya. Wo rote huye boli, jiju, aap ne to mujhe mar hi dala. Kya isi tarah se gaand mar jati hai. Maine kaha, haan, gaand isi tarah se mari jati hai. Agar maine tumhara muh bandha nahin hota to tum kitni jor jor se chillati, ye tum ab samajh gayi. She knew that the rough looking man’s statement was really a question. “You might try the Convenience store about a mile out of town. They let people set up a camper there for five dollars a day,” the older woman said. After he was gone she thought about him. She wondered if he was going to be trouble. He didn’t quite look like the crazy vets, who came around now and then, but then again he did a little. He was tall and not quite thin, so she assumed he hadn’t been on the road long. Nothing.