” “You are here alone?” When she smiled, his heart clenched, “No, not alone. My girlfriend is probably off somewhere coercing a free drink f...rom some unsuspecting bartender.” “Your... girlfriend,” he hesitantly asked, thrown by the sudden turn of events. ` Serena gazed at him, uncertain of his tone. When she understood, she began laughing and couldn’t stop. A tear squeezed out from between her tightly closed eyes, as she clutched at his arm, trying to hold herself upright. “Oh my,” she. Carolynthen took my hand and led me into the formal dining room. She pulled outa chair for me next to Mrs. Alexander at the large table and then pushedme in.The table seemed almost too empty, but then I remembered that Mrs.Alexander had been recently widowed, and Mrs. Alexander had explainedthat her daughter Susan had decided to stay on the East Coast withfriends for the holiday.Everything about the mansion was beautiful; it was immense and decoratedwith ornate lace curtains and fresh flowers. The steps up from every level from kindergarten to Law School. Academy graduations and Commissioning Ceremonies and Doctorial Vestings. Awards and presentations ranging from perfect attendance at Catholic Youth to Medals of valor and Service, Police and Military and Medical and so many more.Even those were crowded out by the more important memories, the simple ones. Walking hand in hand with Mike along the seashore, dancing alone together in a gentle rain. The first kick from our Mary, and. She wasn'treally single, but with her husband home three days a year from the military,she might as well be. Underneath Paul's winter boots and snow pants was not the pair of long johns he had gotten for his birthday, but a pair of suntan pantyhose. These were nylons he had paid for himself and his mother wastoo shamed to admit it in public.d in a harem outfit. He had already picked upa black dress and witches' hat for the party he'd have in a little over a month'stime. When it got closer to.