I didn't mean to scare you."She reached up, grabbed his ear and pulled him down to her again. She kissed him and the baby saying, "You'd better not be...sorry! Now go, she hungry!" Both girls watched as he left singing to the baby while she squealed in response."He loves her so much," Kiki sighed."Yes he does." Debbie turned back to the girl. "Now, how are you?"Blushing Kiki whispered, "I am fine, really, fine." I watched the whole thing; at least I think it was everything. I'm pretty sure he was. Mark meekly comes back over to the table and sits a bit removed at one end, listening to the conversation. Looking at him, he appears to have something else on his mind.Everyone is so proud of Tim for his promotion and all of his accomplishments. Matt and Peter get into a bit of an extended conversation with Tim about efficiencies lacking in the plant at Microga. Tim is interested in their insight. He inwardly smiles, realizing that the skills he had taught them so long ago, they are now. ”“Oh, Ashley! Oak Leaf will embrace you and bring healing when this is done.”“I wonder whether I can find healing at Oak Leaf.” As doubt had grown, my confidence as a noble decreased. I feared I would see shadows of Stone and Lucinda every time I contemplated accepting vulnerability rather than a noble’s poise. Yet I could not be myself without that vulnerability.I didn’t want to dwell too deeply on the future. Doubt is dangerous for a lover. It is easy for doubt to spiral out of control. Then. Blood drops formed and ran down thearm. Dropped to the floor, leaving red sprinkles on the white tiledbathroom floor. She would just sit there and watch the blood. Smearingthe blood along the wound. Satisfied. At least for a few moments. Thosewere the moments she stood in front of her cabinet. Watching therazorblades. Right next to the bandages, skin closure strips and sterilecompresses. For minutes. Sometimes longer. Ramona kept coming back aswell on those days. Staring blankly into the.