I smiled as I walked over to the opposing coach and shook hands. Right now Sammy was a home town hero. Every boy, hell every man, should feel that hap...piness, that glory, and that sense of achievement at least once in his life.I gathered up the team's equipment and started to cart it to my Ford Expedition; it would take at least two trips to stow the gear. Much quicker than I expected Sammy came to help me carry the loads. I smiled at him and couldn't help myself; I pulled him into a hug. "Good. You can, if you want." That's not something I feel comfortable with, not in this situation, Tom. I just don't know you well enough to do that." Well, can you at least tell me how long this is going to take you? When can I see you again?" I don't know. Frankly, maybe never. I just can't say right now." Lil -" Good night, Tom."And so she went into her apartment, leaving me alone on the front steps.***At first I was upset, then depressed. By nine the next night, I was simply angry: I was ready to. I started systematically folding off these stalls, but I couldn't find her in the first three. The fourth shop was a stand with oriental dresses. It seemed a little bigger and had a room behind the stand that was probably used as a warehouse. The booth was abandoned except for a teenager. I moved towards the back room and heard voices. Careful, I approached the curtain that delimited the room. At the back, I saw my wife standing between stacks of clothes. There were four older men around her.. Everyone who knows her or just knows OF her, likes her. Heck, my girlfriend/fiancee, Jennifer (we all remember her, right, kiddies? Right, andri? LOL) loved brookie, too. Even andri loved brookie. And brookie sincerely loved you all, right back. She is, was and will always be a really great kid. A really great person to have as a friend. She’s the kind of Friend that you want to do your best around–want to BE your best because you know that she’ll be her best! Just to see her smile… Oh, my God,.