The minuscule amount of weather lore I still remembered from my days as a Tenderfoot Scout told me high thin clouds and Mare's tails were telltale sig...ns of approaching storm systems and usually signaled that a weather front was moving in.We left base around nine and had been on the trail for almost four hours. It's a little after one, if we return now, we would make it home with no time to spare before the storm hit."We need to turn back if we are going to beat the snow," I urged Alice."No. I needed sleep myself. I offered to carry him upstairs if he wanted to join me in bed, but he declined. He would like a bit more food, if I'd be so good—still that almost formalized courtesy—and I obliged, refreshed his water again and rinsed out the shot glass before I put everything down for him. I made sure the door was cracked so he could come and go as he pleased for potty needs, and took myself to bed.Sometime in the night he apparently made his own way up the stairs, because he was. Sarah came out a while later and we begantalking about how warm the weather was."The champagne is making me even warmer," she said.We were leaning on the deck railing looking out into the woods behindher house. She moved closer to me and leaned against my shoulder.In almost a whisper, she asked, "Have you ever done the champagnething to a woman before?"Surprised, I glanced around the deck to see if anyone was on the deckwith us. "I haven't" I replied. "I've only heard about it beingdone. Would you like some water or soda Benson?’ ‘Thank you sir, I would appreciate that, luckily it’s not too hot of a day out.’ ‘Here you go,’ as he handed Benson one of each. ‘Sir would you and the lady like me to walk back to the last exit for you something to eat there are fast food restaurants there?’ ‘Benson that is a phenomenal idea, I bet you’re as famished as I am. If it’s not too much trouble I think that would be a good idea,’ as he reached into his coat pocket and retrieved his wallet..