”“Well, whoever it was is an idiot for passing up a chance to meet you.” Not my most original line, but what the hell. I was tired.“Thanks,”...she answered. “I’m Zatianna.”“Mark,” I answered, holding out my hand to shake hers. Just then the bartender brought her martini.“What brings you here?” she asked as she took a sip. “Picking up chicks?”I chuckled. “No, I’m avoiding my inevitable return to the work grind. I got some bad news today too.”“What’s that?” she asked. “What do you do?”I explained. "I take it that you find the sword acceptable," the King asked casually,full knowing the answer from Ulrich's expression. "You may speak." Your Majesty," Ulrich replied with humility and uncharacteristiceloquence, "I would guard the princess with a wooden stave, should it cometo that, and give my life in her service, for which duty I need noencouragement or reward; but wielding this weapon it will ne'er come tothat, for I shall have no match, much to the pleasure of my bride, whoseems to favor. My daughter is 20years old now and lives in town, with my sister. After my wife died we both sought of kept to ourselves, tho my memories would still flood in of my little girl. On the other hand, my sister is 32years old and has 2 daughters, on her own, her husband died of cancer. But that much later.Just recently Sara, my daughter, came out to see me and I saw how much she looked liked my sister. We sat and talked the whole day long, but what was disturbing was the small tank top and short. Wendy still had classes, too, and quietly said she needed to get ready. I offered to drive her, but she said she wanted to walk and catch a bus so she could clear her head before class. She was just three weeks from graduation and didn’t want to blow anything at this stage.That left me alone. I finished my coffee and sent another text message to Kate just to say “I love you.” I’d sent nearly a dozen after she left yesterday, but got no replies. I knew everyone else had sent her messages, too. I.