The first hour passed quickly, Mel and Tracy sometimes together, sometimes only touching fingers in passing, the kids and games and food and drinks an... all the new people and different costumes turning the entire block into a carnival of fun. As the evening advanced and dark took over, a good many of the guests left or retreated up to more adult activities in some of the apartments. Mel followed Tracy into one that had been decorated to the hilt, the entire front room looking like a cave full. " I'm not going anywhere until you give me notice, in writing over your signature, that I am suspended and why. I need something to take to my lawyer."Jackson started to sputter at this, but Jase had a hard look in his eyes that brooked no argument. "Oh, very well. Wait outside, and I will have a letter drawn up." NO! I said that I am not going anywhere, and that includes this office, until I have the letter in my hand. Then I will leave, but I will go by my sister's classroom on my way out to. When he learned that the Therriens were back together again, he realized the cause. He wanted to comfort his son, but he didn't know how. He could only hope that he would find someone else to be with. It was far too easy for Bill to be a loner.Bill's shop was open from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 12noon on Saturdays. It had become his father's custom to drop by just before closing on Saturday and bring some deli sandwiches and a couple of bottles of beer and they would talk about whatever. Sandra cut in before he could say anything. "Oh mygoodness, Alice, how did you manage that? You are such a messy eater."Alison snorted with laughter, and had a fit of the giggles. "If you hadworn your apron, it would not have mattered, but now you're going to haveto go upstairs again and change. You must like doing the washing, the wayyou are running through shirts." Alan was outraged, he knew he hadn'tspilt the jam, but could not bring himself to argue with this mad woman.He stumped off.