His age and level of maturity helped him compensate for the troubling changes that happened around him. He had a strong sense of ethical responsibilit... already. That was one reason he had stayed with Melanie. He took his wedding vows seriously, even if she did not. And he would have continued to do that, had she lived through childbirth. If she had, and they had hired either of the girls as a nanny, he would never have even thought about fooling around with her. At the same time, he was still a. "She gasped, then said "I don't know where that came from, I sure did put it into my purse." It was a good act, maybe even Emmy material, but I had seen her put it into her purse, so - no awards."Look Ms. Wilson," I began. "I have enough evidence to prove shoplifting and I am going to have to hold you for the police. Before I call them though I have to follow the store policy which means I am going to have to make sure you aren't carrying have any weapons. So stand up and let me check you out.". She is dressed mostly in black clothes, but is not at all sinister orthreatening. Then, whatever it is driving me nudges my slow feet and Imove to the door, not knowing what I will find for myself. Next, somehow,I am through the door and when I look behind me it has disappeared and Ican only move ahead.It is like I am moving to the woman, now inexorably. She is young,dressed in black, and carrying a pack. Her hair is brown, like mine, butit is much longer, shinier, and hangs down to her. They rarely did when these four got together. After all, the women had a story to tell about their day and that would lead to more, much more.* * * *Several days later Juli again called Nikki in the morning. This time it was to revisit an earlier conversation about Juli’s friend who wanted some help with her dog. This was the friend whose husband was in a care facility slowly dying. She had tried the dog because it didn’t seem right to be with a man, yet. But she was frustrated. Nikki.