I’ll take care of everything and he’ll be here in about thirty minutes or so.”“Al, I’ll be upstairs, changing, and looking for a friend to g... with me to the theater tonight.”“Your egotistical boyfriend Martin had more important plans? Thought you two were an item, you’ve dated for several months now? You told him about it two weeks ago.”“Martin isn’t egotistical, he’s strong-willed. It’s been three months, and I know you two don’t get along. Yes, he knew.”Abby got a beer from the fridge. “Sure. MacLaird is an _ideal_ candidate, savefor one thing. His reason for volunteering is the number one reason wedon't accept volunteers." He wants to be female?" Suzie asked."Yup," Rachel replied. "And there's more. He's very much in love withhis childhood sweetheart."Tina whistled. "That means ...."Rachel nodded. "She's a lesbian, and he's convinced that the only wayhe'll ever find love with her is to volunteer and become completelyfemale." Wow!" Suzie exclaimed. "No wonder you're a big edgy. Trent’s father covered his butt with both hands as he passed her. Yup this was going to be a really good family merger.We all walked out into the back yard and I was so happy to see so many people gathered and having a good time. It was a mild weekend, as was typical of late January in the Treasure Valley. Everyone was mixing and greeting friends and meeting strangers. A great start.I walked to the band and told them to start their meet and greet. They had to understand that this would also be. "When they were gone, Kathy said, "They are both getting a little on the frail side. Glenda won't quit and Martin is still out every day trying to help folks. He doesn't have to do it, but he likes to be busy. That Shirley lady that is a friend of Mark's and Caroline's is beginning to come over a lot to be with Glenda. She says she likes to have the time to gossip over here with the other ladies. Her friend, Betty, is getting frail too and has been staying pretty close to home." Folks get.