How the hell did that make the world any better? It was just hucksterism by another name.As we headed toward graduation my time became more filled wit... work and school. Plus I was the president of the student robotics club.Unfortunately Jessica's student schedule became less and less busy. She landed an internship with Nieman Marcus on Michigan Avenue and was invited to lots of functions and parties, which to her anger and dismay I rarely had time for. I had difficulty hiding my disdain for her. It was 4 pm, and I was still sleepy. My son just told me he would be away for at least a week, which means Ria and I will be alone. My heart started to beat fast. It’s like when I was in college and was going on my first date.I was thinking, am I crazy to be happy thinking of staying alone with my daughter-in-law? Or is it natural what happened last night and this morning? I could barely sit on the sofa. So many things were running through my mind.Also, I have been controlling myself since. I can’t see her face.’ That much was certainly true. ‘I just know we need help. Please.’ ‘OK, what’s your name? Joe? I remember you from the picnic. I’m at the triage center. I have to find somebody. I’ll call you back.’ ‘Wait, don’t hang up!’ I croaked. But she was gone. I had never felt so alone. Time passed. How much? Who knew? How could I tell? I rested. Just trying to talk to Tina’s mother had taken more effort than I could imagine. When would she call me back? I knew I was getting weaker.. I climbed the next ladder well going up, and ran the rest of the way to the shop.When I got to there, Chief Mills had already called muster in the passageway. I silently slid into ranks as he continued to read the highlights from the Plan of the Day. Chief told Hull Technician First Class Gilbert the status of a few insignificant projects that were going on and then quickly dismissed us. I got the feeling that Chief Mills was in a hurry because muster was over in a record five minutes. The off.