Dad has a cookout planned for the afternoon. When would we have time to come here?”“It’s not fair,” Hunter protested. “Why can’t I get the...birthday special?” I could see my little brother was approaching a tantrum. He could be a stubborn little son of a gun. I slipped a twenty out of my wallet and slid it surreptitiously across the counter to the clerk and gave him a wink.“Would this entitle my little brother to the ‘free’ birthday golf game, sundae and soda?” I asked.“That is more than. ‘Thanks, Judge. These will help. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Please keep me informed by telegraph if you hear anything,’ I said. Then he handed me a dozen extra badges and said, ‘Be careful, Clay, most of these camps do not have any law so you may have to deputize some help but since you are a deputy marshal yourself. You only have the power to temporarily deputize someone. Try to urge the camps to appoint some marshals or constables to try and keep the law, and to try to get them to vote. He pulled a gift-wrapped box, tied in a big red ribbon, frombehind his back and handed it to me."A gift for me? You didn't have to buy me anything!" That's sweet, but why don't you open it anyway? For me?"I grinned and greedily tore off the ribbon, ripping the wrapping paperaway from its contents, a brown shoebox with 'Saucony' on the outside, aname I instantly recognized. Opening the lid, I discovered not only thepair of running shoes I had expected from the label, in silver and whitewith. At least he knew I was out for the evening."Leslie, I'm glad you're getting an evening out. We'll talk in themorning okay?"As he said this I shifted on the seat as the driver eyed me in therearview mirror. I had to adjust my dress hem as the welt of my stockingwas exposed."I miss you Chris. I now wished I'd had come to Palo Alto with you. MaybeI've been resistive to things. I need to change that about myself, and Ineed to stop being late!" I still love you Leslie,"I interrupted him, "I know. I.