" Robert began. The necklace started to glow again. A glazed look cameover his face. The thoughts in his mind emptied and he sat there and blanklystar...d at the witch. She moved forward and touched the necklace. She pulledher hand away as if the necklace were on fire."Hmm." She said. "That's an interesting necklace you have there." She snappedher finger in front of Robert and he blinked his eyes rapidly."Oh.." Robert said. "I'm sorry. May I use your bathroom?" He stood up andstarted to leave the. Filling the report only tookminutes and the girl on the other end was empathetic, but unhelpful.She stated an adjuster would call her back within 24 hours to get acomplete statement.She sighed and sat down in the hotel room's easier chair. What was shegoing to do? Damn it. Stuck here in the middle of no-where. She felt asis she could cry, her beloved mustang was gone.Arron wiped the single tear away and went over to the mirror. Fixingher makeup took only a second and then turned to the bedside. .we feel that we can now begin to bring closure to these years ofheartache and separation, and go forward as a family once again. Thankyou, ladies and gentlemen."As the security people created a path through the throng of media Zinaturned and motioned Evie and her parents forward, down the steps andacross the pavement to the car that was waiting. A deluge of questionswashed over her as Evie, looking straight ahead, walked smartly to theMPV and gracefully sat on one of the rear seats, lifting. Where did you pick up using such a horrible word, anyway?" Ma looked at me curiously and waited."From my teacher at school, Mister Clark." Well, there's your second lesson for the day," Pa said. I looked at him and he continued, "I guess just because a teacher says it doesn't really make it so. You have to learn to do your own thinking and not rely on somebody else to do it for you."I went outside and began my chores, the egg gathering first. I was also deep in thought. This time I did not try.