”“At least partly because Deb was in the room. But also because you weren’t quite ready for that. Tonight you were.”“I wonder what might hav... happened had we met six or seven years ago...”“I don’t think the thirteen-year-old me was anything like the twenty-year-old me!”Milena laughed, “Sorry, I didn’t even think about that. Since Friday I’ve felt you were my age for some odd reason.”“Your ancient, advanced age of twenty-four?” I chuckled. “You’re my ‘older woman’!”“Don’t be a jerk!”“Well, you. The women were laughing and talking and thanking Janet for inviting them over. She heard them all settle down at the dining table and heard her mother counting out poker chips. She waited for her cue."OK girls! Here are the rules!" Janet began. "You play ten hands of five card stud. The lady with the most chips at the end of ten hands takes control of the prize for the rest of the evening!" Speaking of the prize", one of the women interrupted excitedly, "where is she?" Slave!" Janet called. .. You sigh and mentally correct yourself. Former girlfriend. She's been dead and gone for a few weeks now. Or was it a few months ago? You can't remember. Time hasn't exactly registered in your head much ever since... it happened.Your friends and family members have been there for you. Some of them are helpful, some of them less so. They know you're grieving, so they give you space most of the time. However, one or two of your friends are really worried about you. You have been grieving for a. “I think you know about Tom Carrol.”“Yes we do,” said Amy. “He must have asked my parents for my address because he sent me a nice letter thanking me for seeing that he received the loan. My parents tell me he must be pretty successful judging by what people say about him and the number of cars they see in his parking lot.”“Tom isn’t the only Doctor we have given loans but he is the only one who started from scratch. We have given out loans to three Doctors, one Dentist, and a Veterinarian who.