It is cold and dark, and it’s not just rain, but hail and sleet thrashing down. I sit and I’m knitting a sweater for myself, against the miserable...cold. I look down in my lap, and in the coarse wool are woven images which represent my frustrations, my fears, my sorrows. I have been working on this sweater, a little bit every day, my whole life. Over the years it has changed – adding on bits, losing bits – becoming larger and smaller, but always mine, the colors and patterns always familiar. At. Pa especially had a hard time keeping a straight face when Ad began, "Mister and Misses Hansen, I got a lot on my mind and I don't know where to start." Ad, Mary Jean likes you a lot, too." Pa said."You see, I got these feelin's ... Whut did you say?" He looked at my parents in amazement. His eyes grew round. "How in tarnation did you know I have feelin's for Mary Jean? I ain't even told her yet." Ad," Ma said kindly and gently, "When a young man is talking to a young girl while they do the. ” Somebody had a sense of humor.Jennifer and Tammy greeted us with warm smiles. I got a chaste handshake from Tammy while two enthusiastic hugs smothered Sheila.“Sky, meet Jennifer. She’s our head of computers and communications,” the Commander said as she gave the African lady a slightly sloppy smooch of sisterly affection. The many hugs and frequent kisses reinforced morel and mood the same way common affection synchronized immune systems. Everyone got what everyone had.The center of the. The bar had an intimate feel. It was pleasant and friendly, and I didn't feel crowded. I immediately understood why Thornton liked it."Captain Canter I presume," I said."I'll be damn. Eunice, this is Spec 4 Jenkins, excuse me Sergeant Jenkins."Eunice asked, "The company clerk from New York? Nice to meet you. Thornton has told me about you. He speaks highly of you." When did you get back?" Thornton asked."A little over a month ago. I came to visit with my mother in West Palm Beach."He said, "I.