The top of the wooden crate was jemmied off and Mac looked inside to see it was full of some form of packaging - polystyrene perhaps. He brushed the p...ckaging aside with his hand to uncover a case of Lagavulin, a twelve year old malt whisky. Mac guessed the clan leader had just delivered on his promise to supply the uisge beatha.He looked up as the fighters swept past one more, their wings dipping in salute and he waved his thanks up at them. Mac opened the case of whisky and handed bottles out. So, I'm heading out in May, and I don't know when I'm coming back, if ever."There was a sad resignation in Cindy's voice that frightened both Jason and Cecilia. She didn't say it with words, but her message was clear. My life in the U.S. is finished. I am going to have to start all over, from nothing, in Danube City. That's my sacrifice, and it's just the way it's gonna have to be.The next two weeks passed uneventfully, as Jason tried to stay caught up in his studies and Cecilia dealt with both. The kitchen needed some more work, as did the hardwood floors, and the driveway was going to be gravel until the following spring, when the weather would allow us to lay down some blacktop. We were ready to move in by Christmas, but that was just too hectic. We would wait until January.Dum-Dum got some nice presents at Christmas. Following the closing on the investment, everybody at the Buckman Group was added to the list for Tough Pup Christmas presents. We all got a gift basket with Tough Pup. "Oh, Randi Raver. My nieces love her. I didn't realize you dated her, Brock. She's what, like 15?" She's 18 next week and Brock hasn't dated her – yet," Melanie cut in. She didn't want to give Brock or Al the chance to derail Brock's discomfort. "Their first date is at the end of August. Brock is going to be her date to the Emmy Awards. We're still trying to work Meredith into the rotation. She's the one worth millions of dollars. I'm sure you've seen her. She and Randi are always together at.