I passed the little lake with it’s swaying cascades of willow, where we had held so many family picnics, past the silent stone carillon, past the gr...ceful old conservatory and the cool, dark aquarium. Slowing down until my wheels were barely turning, I crossed the little stone bridge on to the Strand. I pulled to the side of the road and looked down it’s length. It cut across a corner of the island park, with the edge of the woods on the left side, where you might occasionally catch a glimpse. I am still not thinking clearly. My mind is in a fog whenever I think about Isabel. I’m not making good decisions.We arrived at the club and found a table. I decided to get Val drunk (I didn’t need to, things were heading toward a late night fuck anyway), and maybe myself too. We were on the second round when I saw her.She was in a corner, standing with three other people, two guys and one girl. The girl was different from the one the week before. I didn’t recognize the guys. I watched them.. Then, another shouted from somewhereelse, "That's right, give your husband a kiss!" As the big man steppedclose, Marlene pushed away from him and fell to the grass below. Shewanted no part of this life, desperately seeking the coin buried within thefolds of her long lacy white gown.The man stepped close and laughing, not with a touch of meanness, butrather from the enjoyment of this, his wedding day. Marlene scootedacross the ground quickly and scrambled to put distance between her andthe large. Hell, black guys in the school's computer club would serve my ass for tri-tip if I ever called them Negroes. And as for a Desoto, wasn't he a latino middleweight?I burst out laughing. "Right mom. That's a good one." Hmmph! You listen to me, young man. I'll not have you disrespect me like that. It may be your birthday, but you're not too old to be sent to your room."My wholehearted laugh caught in my throat and gagged me. I coughed and continued to cough. I could hardly breath with all that.