Mypink-nailed hands grasped my fork as I ate my lunch, and I took care totake small, delicate bites. At least my mom would be happy with theimproveme...t in my manners! A friend of Gran's came by our table andGran introduced me a her niece who would be staying with her for thesummer. Gran's friend said that her grandson Michael was also stayingfor the summer, and suggested that we could all get together forswimming or movies. Without thinking, I said that it sounded like fun! What was I. ”Tim laughed and said, “Yeah, but that girl grew up over the winter. Have you seen her in her new bikini?”I said, “No! Maybe she will model it for me tonight.”Tim said, “Better yet, come with me after school. My parents both work and that’ll give you an hour with her. I’ll play your game and give you two some space.”The next time I saw Tim he said, “If you do get lucky with my sister I want to hear about it. Okay?”I never did answer him but I walked home with him.Claire was excited to see me. He jumped out of bed yelling, “Oh fuck, I’m going to be late for work.” Then paused for a second wondering why Natasha had not awakened him when she got up. He put on his robe, hurried downstairs to the kitchen hoping to find her their, and asked her why she’d let him oversleep, but no one was there. He wondered where she could be, and it was then he saw a note lying on the kitchen table.“Good morning darling. I went to the gym with Judy early avoid the holiday rush of people. I brewed you some. Then I remembered what had happened last night. A sudden veil of dread washed over me and I fell back onto the pillow. I threw my hands to my face. What had I done? I thought. I might have destroyed the most important relationship in my life. I didn’t think I could live with that. How was I going to face my mother? I knew that I had really screwed up this time.I looked at the clock and saw that it was after 9 a.m. I had gone to sleep at about 10 last night, so I had been asleep for almost 11.