" I tapped my finger to my chin. "Hmm, maybe I should?"She threw a pillow at me. "Get packing, I'll call Daddy and let him know we're coming over for ...unch."Phoenix: Tuesday AfternoonWe'd woken up late, I had to pack, and Jordan was being quite distracting. We didn't get out of my house until noon. It was almost one by the time we reached Dad's place.Cori had some ceviche waiting for us. "You are looking better, Eric," she said, bending down to put the dishes on the table, giving me more than. " No, thanks; we both know that you're a lot better at getting me outtamy clothes than getting me into 'em."The older man chuckled. "I'm heading over to finish packing my horse.I'll leave the two of you to work this out between you." He picked uphis saddlebag and started to walk away. "Just don't take _too_ long." I think you're stalling, Jess," Paul told her. "And you'reembarrassing Elijah." Does that mean you ain't coming back here behind this blanket?" I'd like to; you know that, but I'm. I spent several minutes just standing there and looking down at myselfbefore I slowly walked to the mirror, feeling almost like a prisonerwalking to his execution. It was kind of ironic because I wasn't theprisoner with the death sentence and this had actually been my reprieve.When I reminded myself of that fact, I felt much better."Toxic," I said when I stared into the mirror above a sink, seeing herface reflected back at me. "My face," I reminded myself, knowing thatI'd have to start. I did contact them again and said we were experienced. OK, I sort of lied. But I wanted to make them feel less concerned. I told Cathy that I had rung them and I had arranged for them to come to us Sunday week. She expressed regret that it couldn’t be sooner. Of course the anticipation grew as the time ticked by. For both of us, I should add. They hadn’t posted photos in their profiles like Jake and Angela but Alf sounded ok. I hadn’t spoken to Ruby. Finally Sunday arrived and Cathy was busy.