" I took a few careful steps toward the house, feeling the residual weakness in my legs, then stopped and looked back at him. "Miguel, please don't ha...e me for being a petulant little shit. I guess I'm still trying to grow up."My dad told me once that one of life's repetitive little embarrassments is when, out of the blue, something incredibly stupid that you did in the past drops uninvited into your consciousness. My behavior toward Miguel was definitely going to be one of those.That night Mom. I think that it's the best drawing of a turkey that I've ever seen!"James' praise made the child beam with pride. She did a little jump in place, an outlet for her excitement. She quickly about-faced and scurried back to her mother who was busy at the stove. Shirley bent low once again, and Lucy whispered something."Lucy wants you to have the picture, James," Shirley called to him from the kitchen."For me?" James cried out. "That's very nice of you, Lucy. Bring a crayon over and print your name. One of the waiters came rushing over clutching a bottle of champagne, saying ‘congratulations’ and that the Champagne was on the house. I sat back down and we held hands across the table. Mel finally opened-up to me saying that she knew she loved me a week ago but wasn’t sure how I felt. She also explained that I didn’t have to do this and asked if I was really sure. Off course I said I was and that I couldn’t think of anyone I would rather marry. That night we made love twice and were. ” Father Fontane put his forearms on his desk to lean toward his associate. “Look Dott, you really don’t want to go making a big stink about things do you? Wouldn’t it better for you to…you know...settle down and you and me come to an understanding?”Dott heard threat in Fontane’s words and felt both his resolve and voice soften.“Okay Everett. Okay. But, can we at least talk about the matter of intimacy? I mean, after what I saw, I think you can understand why I need to ask.”“That’s better.