"Aye, that I did," he said, slowly pushing one plate across the table toward her."Well, that be nice o ye." And a flagon of wine for ye too, unless ye...are opposed to such a thing." Nay, I'm not opposed to a little wine now and again," she laughed, grabbing another mug from the bar.As she started to eat, she realized that she hadn't eaten all day. She was famished. Glancing over her shoulder to see if the innkeeper was watching, she sat down and hurriedly wolfed her food down. They only. .. but SEVENTEEN?!?!?" Deb, I am sure. I watched her grow. The last couple of years, as she matured into a young lady, I prayed that time would warp and I could go back and find her. I never came on to her the whole time I chauffeured and chaperoned and coached. I just watched, and shared and helped. And wished." And the whole time, she was doin' the same thing, in the opposite direction. That's something!"Deb smiled. "Maybe you ARE doing something right." I think so," I said. "My heart says. And the more Emilydid, the more Darla called and came over and hung out and wouldn't leaveuntil late at night, which caused Emily and me not to do quite as much acertain thing we both loved to do, although we were doing it an insaneamount by that time.And then, things got really strange. It started with an innocent-seemingcomment. One morning, while I was flopped on the couch and Emily wasabout to leave my apartment, she narrowed her eyes and asked, "Did youdye your hair?" No," I replied. Emily. Such nice, strong hands. And now, after all these nights of waiting and watching, his hands were close enough to touch her. She heard the rain start before she felt it. Large drops falling quickly, and then his hand pressed her back, urging her under the building's awning and out of the rain. She didn't have time to process the danger she may have gotten herself into. Then he was in front of her and stepping backwards slowly. He motioned with his hand to follow him as he took a sharp drag on.