And through all the ups and downs, we stayed friends. But I’m not like you, Karl. You’ve got the whole suburban, traditional family thing going on... You have a stable career, and if you ever decide to leave the Navy, you’ll end up at a big law firm or on the Federal bench. The same is true for you, Nick, once you get a few more years under your belt. I suspect you’ll have a very traditional family, just like Karl. Or Pete, when Melanie finishes school and they have kids. Or Kurt and Kathy. Well,. I couldn't speak, literally in shock. I looked up and my Daddy snapped another picture with his new camera. I knew instantly who was responsible even though the tag read from Mom and Dad. My Daddy had given me a Nook! I didn't even open up the package before running through the mass of debris and flying into his arms. I had no shame in kissing him deep and hard as I settled into his lap. When I had given thanks I turned to Mom and said, “You two are the best,” and leaned over to give her a hug. She whispered tome, "Oh, George, you're so naive! You just used your modem to dial intothe company mainframe. Then you sent an email. The email systemadministrator can see every incoming message. And now that the companiesare merged and the computer systems are connected, I have the same systemcapabilities on your company's mainframe as I do on my company'smainframe. I've been sitting here for hours, waiting to see if you weregoing to send an email. And sure enough, you did! Guess what? . I was wondering if you know..." She smirked."Sorry, Mike, really, but I already have a date for that one," she said. I died a little inside. Getting a girl was looking to be the impossible dream. I headed back toward the A-building. At that point, I would have to have admitted that I was feeling a little down. But, then the gods intervened."Mike," said a voice from behind me. I turned. I had not been wrong. The voice belonged to Sandra Hill. I smiled."Sandra? Wha—I mean what do you need?" I.