The overcast sky parted, just enough to let a little shaft of light run across the small stretch of park where the gazebo stood. The air grew warmer a...d the sounds that surrounded us seemed to soften. It might have been the way we walked, or the way Sid and I held each other once we reached the gazebo, but several people turned to watch as Master Jo began."Though I have never heard these words spoken before, I know them." Master Jo said so only we could hear. "These are the same words spoken. The little shit’s punishment could actually help me once my contract was up. There were a few retro restaurants that offered non-automated food preparation as a gimmick. Perhaps I could find employment that way.Of course, thinking about life after my contract expired wasn’t useful now, except to keep me from associating having to cook myself as a humiliation. You know, I’ve heard the expression, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” a million times, but it actually helped in this. No sooner had they entered the town than a voice halted their progress, ‘Evening neighbours,’ the hulking figure of Spar greeted them. ‘Don’t get too many travellers in these parts,’ his eyes were bright, and while his words were friendly enough there was an underlying question and threat in them. Venn stepped forward, ‘We have been travelling through the villages of faith looking for a metal worker. We heard the best were in this village. I need this dagger repaired, it was my father’s and is. You're sleeping over, if you want to ." Once we got home, Carol and I had a serious talk. I told her that we should tell John that we loved being with him. I also suggested that we invite John to move in. We'd take it from there.Neither of us could predict the future but we hoped it included John.I said to Carol, "You know we have about 45 minutes to ...."Carol came over to me and sat on my lap. We both remembered the old joke about if you sit on my lap we'll talk about the first thing that.