’ She heard herself say that and sat up straight and said, ‘Oh I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that without build up.’ Eliot, looking smoot... in a light blue suit and a collarless shirt with an inner multi-color neckband, appeared slightly stunned and then smiled. ‘Does that mean the offer is being withdrawn?’ Jenna remembered she was twenty-eight and not a flighty fourteen-year-old. She realized she’d accidentally hooked him, so should wind him in carefully. ‘I really don’t know what to say,’. Jimmy and Carl were six and eight years old. This year, for sure, they were going to catch Santa. All the lights in the living room were off, and they were peeking out the front windows waiting to catch Santa when he put his big bags on the porch. The house didn't have a chimney, and the family hadn't had enough time to set up the full Christmas tree. They'd just gotten there at dinner time. There was a small artificial tree – white with tinsel all over it – on the kitchen table. So Santa was. A pride of lions under the shelter of a tree reluctantly scampered out of the way from the noisy procession. Even a small herd of grazing rhinoceros chose to wander afield rather than confront such a boisterous crowd. As they walked, the clan was now happy to shoulder the deer-hide sacks that held their possessions in the secure knowledge that they would very soon be able to relax and settle down. Ivory gazed about her at the familiar signs of their earlier winter migrations. There was the tall. ’ She politely said holding her hand out. Dawn shook her hand and cordially replied: ‘It’s great to meet you too. I was wondering when Erich would finally introduce me to his family.’ ‘Hiding her from us Erich? You know this boy didn’t even tell me he was dating you until a few days ago. Can you believe that? And you two have been dating for a year and a half now already! Well I can’t wait to hear how you two met but first you need to excuse me. I need to wash my hands. I’ll let you take a seat.