Soon everyone started leaving the church, heading to Ellie May’s house for the reception. I thought this little tradition to be exceedingly stupid, ...nd wondered how offended everyone would be if I just went home. Later, as I lay on my bed in the lonely sanctuary of my room, I felt dirty and ashamed. How could I have been thinking about another person during my wife’s funeral? It was true that Mary and I had never been as close as married couples are supposed to be. She was a math whiz, and one. "Well... Pauline mentioned that you've kept all of your receipts and cancelled checks for all of your purchases this year in a file?" Yes," Jake said. "Well... most of them anyway." Most of them?" I might've misplaced one or two here and there." I see. Well how about we look through the file and see what, if anything, we can deduct." Sounds like a plan," Jake said. "Before we start that, I could really go for a beer. Anybody else want one?"Pauline thought that sounded like a good idea but Jill. "I'm sure he can and will. It may take a little time but yes I am sure he can and will," Sam answered."He's a little scared of her right now, especially after seeing you in action against Jerry and his goons. After all, you must admit you are pretty aggressive and impressive, " Sam said and smiled."He is, as I was, afraid that she will take his life. He will get past that though because he loves Roxy very much. I can see it in his eyes when he talks of her," Sam finished."Sam, you aren't afraid. In other words, it's my way or the highway. If this isn't acceptable to you, I'll give you the name and phone number of the assassin for hire that I mentioned, and then I'll walk away from your vendetta without looking back." Vendetta?" I said, taken back somewhat by the descriptive word."Yes. That's what this is, in part anyway. Oh, you want Mary and Grace safe, and that's the other part, but your need to extract vengeance personally can't be denied. Otherwise, you'd hire the assassin instead.