I fumbledwith gifts and packages when Tom made his way through thesea of family faces and chattering. And I snorted anervous laugh when he stepped dir...ectly in front of me.‘What’s wrong with me?! UGH!’Tom held my face in his hands and kissed me… softly…gently, and wished me a Merry Christmas. Timidly, Imumbled something like, “Oh… heh… snort… yeah…Merry Christmas Dad.” Body shaking, I slipped by and mademy way, far, from him.The. " Oh well, that's all right then. We'll leave you to sort yourself out and do get out of your jacket and tie. Anthony will fling his off as soon as he gets in through the front door. The bathroom-cum-loo is facing you at the end of the passage. Come on, Victoria."Mark did as he was told actually changing his trousers and pulling a jersey over his shirt. He then went to the bathroom and washed his hands and face. Finally he unpacked his few clothes and hung his suit in the wardrobe. He wandered. "There's no game today," she said quickly, "so let's have dinner." Okay," I said, trying to sound cheerful. "Okay, lets." I guessed she might invite me to come to her house for a meal, maybe with some other players. Lady Bountiful feeding the masses was what my mind entertained."What do you like?" she asked. "Chinese, French, Tex-Mex, what?" Me," I said, surprised, "oh, Italian I suppose." Good, me too," she purred. "There's a nice place over on Connecticut Avenue, near the Zoo, Angelo's,. They both lit up with matches and Oleg offered, "Cigarette Comrade Captain?"That was one vice I never partook of because I saw what it did to both my Mother and dad. So I waved it off and answered, "No comrades, I do not smoke." My back had started to bother me so I asked, "However, since I am not working today, I wouldn't mind a shot or two of your vodka."I no sooner asked than it appeared. I unscrewed the lid, took a big swig and remarked, "This is good vodka, but what brand is it?" I had to.