. "I'm going to sleep with Jerry," Valerie whispered in my ear.My hand shook ever so slightly and a driblet of the precious liquid ran down my cuff. I...felt the cold chill of the iced gin. I struggled to hold my hand steady."You're what Val?" I plan to sleep with your business partner Jerry." Honey, this is not a good time for jokes." I smiled at a favorite employee who walked forward to take my picture."As a matter of fact, this is a perfect time, he's here, you're here."A pinprick of pain. I found it odd as she hustled the kids out the door and wasn't dressed to go with them."Be sure to tell Miss Smith, 'Thank you' for the ride to school," she yelled as they onto the porch and down the sidewalk. I sat there perplexed, waiting for her to finish dressing and go to work, but she went into the kitchen, poured another coffee, and sat at the kitchen table to drink it while lazily thumbing through a magazine. Now I was totally discombobulated, frustrated with the aching need to unload. Marines and Sailors don't—unless under arms. I was naked in every sense of the word. Naval service personnel centered themselves a pace from the front edge of their commanding officer's desk and assume the position of attention."Sir! Cadet Thistle reporting as ordered, sir!" I announced.I stood there at Attention for some time before Commandant Mackie command At Ease."Do you love Harmony, cadet?" the commandant asked."Sir, the cadet doesn't know, sir," I said."Belay the sir-sandwich and explain. You've had a pretty tough day haven't you Mike?" Mike laughed."You could say that, yeah. I lost my job, my cars got to go in toservice, my wallet is probably lost and I have to get home somehowlater." Sounds like you could do with a bit of a hand then!" said theshopkeep. It wasn't as if he didn't know everything about Mike. "Howabout, you take that 'Ring of Wishes'? You place the ring on yourfinger, and then it will grant you one wish. Let's say it's on thehouse." Oh, thanks...but I dunno...".