"Happy birthday," I muttered, backing out of the room.I walked down the stairs in a daze, wondering how I'd missed the signs. Heavy footfalls chased a...ter me and Alice caught up just as I exited through the front door. She'd thrown on a t-shirt and short skirt. Her face was still flushed from her earlier exertions. Tears streamed down her cheeks."Paul..." she gasped."I should have knocked." My words barely made it past my lips. My stomach churned and threatened to vent its contents."I'm so. She sat up slowly, trying to shake the bizarre sensation that she was dreaming. The bedroom was awash in the golden red glow of firelight, which flickered fitfully against the walls. Slowly, the woman turned. This seemed to take forever, it was hard to stay focused. She blinked once at her window and pulled aside the drapes, surprised at the scene in the yard. Several people stood around a bonfire, moving slowly to the beat of a drum. A few of them were singing, but all were dancing, fenced in. As she walked towards the door, she noticed a familiar pair of long, slim, crossed legs. She looked up and her reaction was instantaneous, “Claudia! Claudia!” She shrieked and hurried to her.She stood, arms outstretched and the impact of Allison’s embrace practically knocked her back onto her chair.“Claudia! Claudia, I’ve missed you so much!” Her arms encircled her, squeezing hard.Claudia’s arms embraced Allison’s body like a mother bird protecting its young chick. “I’ve missed you too so very. Her head on a pillow with eyes closed, an arm haphazardly lying over her head. Ron snapped to look at Todd, who was completely dressed. “Get out,” in a commanding tone that was more of a gruff than a whisper. Jessica barely opened her eyes, “Dad?” Todd stumbled getting off the bed and squeezed between Ron and the doorframe. He took two backwards steps, turned, and raced down the stairs. Ron leaned out of the room to watch the frightened teen, “and lock the door on your way out.” Ron paused to.