Mom just gave me a nod as she stepped downstairsto grab a camera. The limo with Brad and his friends arrived at my house promptly at 7. Helooked very...debonair in his tux, kind of like James Bond. He charmed his wayinto my home, meeting my mom and little sister. He brought a corsage for meand I pinned his on him. He smiled brightly through several pictures beforeexcusing us to the restaurant. When I first entered the limo, the other coupleswere already parting down. They had brought some liquor. Remember, no matter what happens, Tonto is there with you and will not let you make a mistake. I love you, my child."Val removed the robe from her brightly-feathered Granddaughter and stepped back. Ellie reached toward the older woman but did not make contact lest she carry human scent into the negotiations, she used a small wet wipe to sanitize her new beak. Her smile looked odd on her transformed face. She remembered; she must keep her teeth hidden at all times as she stepped into the future. Boston Diminutive, before we even begin to think about Fat Phil, explain to me, in words that a simple hot dog vendor can understand, what in the name of that great horse parlor in the sky has gone wrong?”“To be precise, which we all try to do, nothing has gone wrong so far as our favorite filly, Springtime Sunset, is concerned because post time is not until 5:20 at the eighth race at Aqueduct.”“So, I should tell Fat Phil there is nothing to worry about on his large, if not monster, wager on. I had a consult with her grandfather anyway because it was a decision I just was not comfortable making. He explained that for all practical purposes the pills were the best idea. Even though there was some discussion about Lamar just disappearing, in the end I bought the pills and looked the other way.So there I was at 10AM on a Sunday morning facing another crisis. Let her spend the night with the boyfriend or refuse and have her do it anyway. Some decisions were impossible not to make..