"Umm okay," I said a bit surprised. "See you next time." I called out. He never responded.I quickly adjusted my thong, checked myself in the mirror, g...abbed my purse, and out the door I went. As I stepped outside, legs still shaking from the pounding I had just received, a gust of wind washed over me almost completely lifting my dress. "Whoa!" I said as I quickly caught my dress and pulled back down. It wasn't until just then that I noticed the once dead parking lot was not so dead any longer.. “That’s nice. I’m glad it was easier for you. Meanwhile, I was left all alone to deal with-” She faltered and bit her lip, silently cursing her big mouth. Daniel stepped closer and cupped her chin in his palm. “Deal with what?” “Nothing.” Emma closed her eyes, too defeated to bother pushing his hand away. “A broken heart, that’s all.” “I’m so sorry, Em.” He smoothed his palms over her cheeks. He pressed his lips to one closed lid, then the other, his mouth lingering, his sweet breath drifting. ”“I’m so proud of you, Jerry,” my mother said and hugged me tightly. Then she kissed me on the lips again, this time it lasted a bit longer. “So do you want to know where we are going on vacation?”“Of course. You know I’ve tried everything, including outright bribery to get you to tell me.”She laughed. “Okay, we’re going to Barbados. We leave next Saturday for two weeks.”I broke out with a big smile. “Two weeks in Barbados, cool. I knew it would be someplace sunny. That’s great, Mom.” I hugged. I stopped. Pushing aside the other garments I stared at the dressinggown. It was dark blue silk with black embroidery on it. Looking closelyI could see that the black threads outlined the shape of carp. I staredfor a good minute."Stop this Pete. You aren't superstitious. Just because you dreamed of ablue robe doesn't make this important. Anyway were there fish on yourrobe in the dream? No. Now put this away."I hung the bag back up and looked at the suitcase. It was small hardsided bag. .