“That man of yours, he’s a gambler. I don’t like him,” he had said.“Dad, Greg is a stockbroker, a successful one at that.”“No matter how...you dress it, it’s gambling. With higher stakes. Mark my words. There will be one day when he’s lost everything, your money, your home, your happiness. Don’t you come cryin’ to me then.”No. Not such a good idea. Amanda pulled her cell from her jacket and dialed her sister’s number.“Yes?” a female voice asked.“Hey Grace, it’s me.”“Amanda! How are you,. She came to me and was just about in tears from yet another failed relationship. She asked if we could talk and closed the door. As she poured out her heart it became clear to me that this woman was doing nothing wrong other than not giving up the prize before the game even started. Maybe she was a flirt and a bit of a tease but mainly she was attracted to men that only wanted to fuck her. Several weeks later she had gone out on a date with a new guy that we had known for a while who worked. I’ve been a Marine for sixteen months. I have almost five years to go and two more in reserves or active. I’m a Marine, Brian. I might be a Marine for the full career. Unless deployed, I will be working regular hours at my new duty station. I’ll get time off and even vacation time. I hope ... Will you come to visit me sometimes?”“So far away. Of course, I’ll come. I’ve never been out of the country. I need to get a passport. We can go to the Federal Building in Indianapolis. How long does it. ’ ‘I heard you broke a rib with only one punch.’ The questions were coming at me in a blur. I was desperately looking for a way out. A tall blond guy came though the crowd and right up to me. He winked at me, then turned and said, ‘Ok, come on people, break it up, and give the guy some room. He’s just spent the last hour being interrogated and I don’t think he can take another hour of it. Now shoo!’ He turned around and said, ‘Hi. I’m James Carlson. I don’t think we’ve met yet.’ as he offered.