I only know what I can glean from you, you must tell me the rest if you want me to help you unlock the secret. I am only your guide, Victoria. You mus... walk this path towards enlightenment yourself. Find your Self, and you shall have your answer. I must go now.”“No, please don’t go! I’ve never felt this way before, I’ve never felt this way about someone! Don’t leave me, stay here with me! I’ll do anything if you stay!”“Don’t worry, Victoria, we won’t be apart for long. After all, I’ll see you. “Everything goes in here,” Pierre told them, swinging open the furnace door “belts and boots as well. Yes, and watches. You won’t need any of them”. They tossed rings and necklaces onto the glowing coals, delicate wisps of French and Italian lingerie bought especially for the occasion. Maria wore only two hoops in her ears and a wedding ring, so she was the first to turn to help Kristina; by the end, all three were working at the defrocked nun’s multiple piercings with trembling fingers while. Of course, it wasn’t always like that.” That was news to me. I’d only known a father who worked long hard hours every day of his life.“What do you mean?”“Well...” she lowered her voice and glanced around the room conspiratorially, “when we came to America, we were hippies. We never intended to work a day in our lives.”“Mom! You’re kidding!”“No, it’s true. You should know these things now that you’re grown up.” Grown up? I was 43. It seemed like I could have been told about this sometime in the. She laughs, a great laugh, and says she’ll join me, she wants more. I’ve almost finished my second glass of champagne and am really feeling the effects. Before we can leave our group, a hand grips my elbow. Startled, I turn and am met with a broad chest in an impeccable tux. I slowly move my gaze up and am captivated by the most exquisite eyes I’ve ever seen accentuated by the black mask hiding his face. He smiles confidently, and my heart skips a beat. I swallow the last of my champagne and.