I remember thinking of that line from The Christmas Story – ‘not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.’ I went into the kitchen and made so...e coffee, and had bagel and cream cheese. I looked longingly at the pool, but I’d closed it up for the season. I noted that the morning temperature was thirty-nine degrees. I wouldn’t swim in it again until May unless April offered some surprising warmth.I thought about the small drama that had unfolded the night before just before we all went to bed.. ’ ‘Teens, not teems.’ Yoled perked up a little. ‘Dajoo know them?’ ‘Ah, they’re easy once you get the pattern. I’ll show you later.’ After eating, Eldrian approached Iyda and asked if she wanted to be shown counting as well. The Earthborn girl brushed off the suggestion. ‘Counting’s stupid.’ ‘But you could count how many bugs you stomp,’ said Eldrian with a smile. Iyda considered the concept for a moment before shrugging. ‘I’ll stick to stomping, let Dawn count them.’ Back at the dorm,. She informed me they were still working out what they were allowed to do, but her playing with other women, even alone, was already allowed.The past three weeks at work had been a different experience. The Monday after the girls left, I had a meeting with my CEO. I told him I wanted him to handle everything, but I would be in my office until noon if he actually needed me. He was more than capable, and outside of updating me on resolved problems, I didn’t see him at all. I told him this morning. He emphatically confirmed his willingness to pick her up on his way to Hinckley, and also offered to make the reservations for their rooms. His offer was quickly accepted, and very shortly after he got off the phone with Annie, he called the casino to make the reservations for two rooms, one in each of their names.Robert's Christmas visit with his sister Patty went very well. Mike and Patty had apparently moved their relationship to the next level, as they were now sharing the condo that had.