”Ed gave a mental sigh, before sending, “We’re going to lose hours on our schedule because I didn’t get my mission objectives completed. We ar... already shaving objectives, because of our imminent visitors. When the Aliens get here, what we have ready is what we’ll have to fight with. Hopefully there won’t be a fight. But if there is, we need to win. There’s a lot we can do with a battle-field the size of Earth orbit to Moon orbit.”“Two steps forward, and one step back,” Caleb grumbled. “Is it. The principal set down her glass,and said:"Oh, but you do." Confused, he looked at her. She smiled, of course."But I just said..." he started. She interrupted him at once."I know what you said. But that is not what you want."This was a weird conversation, he thought. He looked from theheadmistress to the doctor and back. It was Dr. Kurtz who went on,laying her hand on his."If not here, honey, where would you be?" she asked.He took away his hand. It didn't stop her."Would you really go back to. She jumped up and crossed to the mirror over her fireplace, grinning hugely at the kitty that looked back at her!"Oh, Rich, I LOVE it!!"She went to give him a hug."Lil one, there are still things to open so back on the cushion."She gave another pout and jumped onto the large floor cushion, once again up on her knees and jiggling from side to side, waiting for the next parcel. He passed another, and she ripped it open quickly. Inside were two long gloves and boots made of the same sleek fur,. I wanted to observe Colleen's face as she entered.When she finally came in, she looked very down. I expected her to be carrying bags of groceries since she said she was going shopping. All she was carrying was a small bag from Walgreen's(r). I watched as she walked by without looking at me and went to the stairs. She stopped momentarily to tell the children to get their pajamas on and get ready for bed. She also reminded them that tomorrow would be a school day.Bedtime for the children was 8:30.