The next day, we drove until we were near Panama City. The girls wanted to detour there for a night, so we drove out to the beach on the inter-coastal...island to find a room at a small motel. We played on the beach for a little while, had a Florida seafood dinner, and enjoyed each other until I couldn’t any more.We arrived at the farm around noon, just in time for lunch. My brothers were ogling the girls in their short shorts and halters. My Dad stared along with them but looked away quickly. I will be managing their short-term capital!"Caroline was teaching at the Business School. I knew she was hoping to find a job in the industry, but I knew nothing about insurance companies."Congratulations! Where is the job? And when do you start?" Well, that's the bad news. The job is in New York City. I start in three weeks, but I am taking the rest of the week off to go there and look for an apartment." What? You'll be leaving so soon?" I am sorry, Mitch. It's a dream job for me. It sucks. "She led me toward a small Chinese place two blocks away. She made some cheery comments, but my response was sluggish and absent-minded. She kept glancing at me, puzzled at first, then more guardedly. In the restaurant we sat by a window, as usual, and scanned the menu. Making her choice early she set her menu aside, but I buried my face in mine, unable to concentrate and, partially, avoiding her. After a long moment at the table I glanced up at her. She was looking at me with a questioning. I have little tolerance for people who refuse to practice the same self discipline they would demand in others. But, enough of that. This talk is about the two of us, and about whether or not we can agree to put aside our personal differences for everyone's mutual benefit. Speaking for myself, I know that I can." He stood back up then, and came around the side of his desk. He offered me his hand to shake. I stood up and put my hand out also."Thank you, Mr. Parsons. I've been worried, ever since.