One day there were eight of us sitting around in the park on our way home from school. At this point we were four couples, each boy holding his girl's...hand. One couple exchanged a gentle, timid kiss, so then a second couple did the same and then the third couple and then they all turned to Deidre and I, egging us on, telling me "come on Ken, kiss her."Shyly, Deidre put her face next to mine and our lips touched for the first time, albeit rather chastely. But at least we had kissed, which broke. I was excited and anxious all at the same time. I hadn’t seen Cal since our last trip to the cabin. He had been at a convention in Miami. Whilst I hadn’t had a drink since splitting with Michael almost six weeks prior. I was petrified on relying upon alcohol as a crutch, a common occurrence with my blood father, according to Mom that is. Tonight I was going to have a few drinks, tonight I was going to party with Cal and my friends. Finally I was ready. I stood up, my small red dress just. “He is not quite what he appears.”“How so?” My father looked at Sasha in alarm.My mother’s eyes widened, and then she burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand.All three of us stared at her in consternation as she fought to bring her mirth under control. Finally, she sighed, swallowed one last snicker, and addressed Sasha. “Sasha, my dear girl, I recognized you the moment you set foot in my presence. When I did, I sent a message to your mother, explaining that you were safe. She had. Rachel was upset on several counts besides the loss of her family and leaving California, where she grew up.First, there was her girlfriend Sandy, whom she was now becoming jealous of. Chris had no desires for Sandy, but was aware that the 24-year-old thought he was cute. The night before embarking on the journey, Sandy suggested they could go to Utah, and be Mormons so Chris could have two wives. She was teasing, but Rachel and Chris didn't find it funny. Rachel had no sense of humor about.