Natalie and I went to the University of Indiana with Malcolm and his wife Sonja. As Malcolm rose in the political arena, we sort of drifted apart, but...we still exchanged Christmas cards. Natalie's company was responsible for providing publicity for Malcolm's campaign and for his contacts with his constituents back home. Over the last year, I had seen several photos of the Senator in the papers and magazines where Natalie could be seen in the background. There were a few short TV clips where he. "Explain the Studebaker, the wonderful, beautiful golden Avanti," he asked, once they were back on Route 15."Can't. He's got a thing about some cars. Had one of those beautiful Raymond Lowey coupes, a '54 I think, when I was learning to drive. Fine car. But he sold that to buy the Avanti. You ought to see the size of the engine in that thing, almost five liters I think." And the MG?" Oh, he's had that for years, just a toy. It seldom runs. He's always doing something to it. Right now the head's. . it would make sense. Everything in this damn sea wants us sailors dead. Gods, please, just ... just get it over with.” He closed his eyes, and waited.“Kill you? But ... I’m not...”Eric opened one eye, then the other. Not kill him? “But ... you’re a mermaid.”“I am.” She swam closer, and she gave him a small smile from behind the barrel.She really was beautiful. Her voice was enchanting too, just like the old tales said. Mermaids were sirens! They lured sailors with their charm, and then they. We got a long drive home." Soon after, we are ready to go. As usual, I am the last one on the bus. I board the first bus and search for a spot. Nothing. "There’s still a few seats on the other bus Sean." one of the band moms tells me kindly. I nod and head over to the seconds bus. The percussion kids always sit on this bus, so its noticeably louder than the first. I stand at the front for a second searching for a good place to sit when I see a hand waving at me from the back seat. It is.