As I awoke fully, I remembered where I was and why I was being blasted awake in the middle of the day. At the head of the bed was a digital radio with...an alarm and volume function, which I half-punched, half-slapped at, partially in desperation. It fell blissfully silent, and once my ears stopped ringing, I could hear the breakers a few dozen yards away.As I sat there, clearing my head and untangling my junk, I realized that I was surprisingly out of breath. Reflexively, I reached up to scratch. Sherri had been moving around the kitchen while I sat mired in sorrow and she hadn't touched it. I let out a deep sigh of relief.I'd been lucky, I realized. I'd invited a complete stranger into my house to engage in an illegal activity, while I was too drunk to do much to protect my stuff or defend myself. I was lucky in who actually showed up. Incredibly lucky.I got some coffee and a bowl of cereal and sat down at the table. I picked up Sherri's card and read it again. I was surprised. She'd. " I said in my best lecturing voice."How do you know this is so? I've heard stories over the years; nothing has said anything about the world being affected." Rose Blossom said out loud and then looked abashed at her words."That is a very good question, if I may ask for another visitor to enter your library?" I asked and she thought for a moment before nodding her head. "Ichabod, may I ask for your presence?" I said quietly."For you Stranger, anything." Said Ichabod said as he appeared in the. .." Debbie added, then looked at me as well."You look great though! I really need to regularly come here too, if theresults are that amazing!" Thank you..." I shyly whispered, still scared to death.Kim grinned sheepishly. "See, I told you! McCormack's is the best beautycenter in town!"In this moment, I heard a male voice from behind where the van was stillparking."Hey cutie! What about a date tonight?"The laughing that followed made me shiver again. Joe Hartford. 'Are theyall in that van?'A.