“There you are! I thought you died.” Her brother appeared from the darkness, blocking her way. He looked almost as dirty as she did.“I don’t w...nt to talk about it right now,” Mindy said, trying to duck under his arm.“Maybe you rebooted while in the trash? That’s awesome!” Mindy’s brother grabbed her by the neck and dragged her down the hallway. “Let’s wash you first, you smell like shit.”“What? No, I’m the real Mindy! I’m not your stupid doll…” she immediately realized the pointlessness and. After the show was over, you turned around. “I think I want to work on my puzzle,” you said. “Of course, Kim. Let me know if you need anything…” I put you to bed that night in the spare room where you sleep. I kissed you goodnight and you hugged me hard around the neck. Then I went into my room and started watching TV. I usually fall asleep with the TV on, so I turned off all the lights and laid back on the bed. About an hour later, I was getting to sleep, and I had the memory of you earlier. We were very close when he tried for the third time. This time, he did get an answer—a bullet that hit the deck at his feet! Son of a Bitch! That was a declaration of war if we ever heard one, so Capt. Scruggs turned the battle over to me. At this point, only two men were needed to manage the boat, so I had everyone else line up on our boat’s side with weapons in hand, ready to board.With a deft bit of steering, we ran up alongside the other boat and threw out grappling hooks and buffers. The. Emma slowed pulled me to my feet so we stood facing each other, only inches apart. She took each of my hands in hers, forming them so the fingers and thumb of each hand pushed together. Then slowly she pulled my hands toward each other touching the fingertips against those of my opposite hand. The warmth of her soft hands and scent of her filled me with a longing for another time. Then she kissed me. A soft, lingering kiss that seemed filled with the promise of a thousand dreams. As we drew.