I was just about to open our case when I asked the judge for a continuance. I got it when I told him my wife was about to give birth. MP had twins—a... wizard and a witch—both with flaming red hair. We named them Patrick and Patricia.I've been sitting here at my desk reminiscing about the past. It's a luxury I've rarely enjoyed. But today is special. Today's my last day—I'm retiring as soon as Mary Patricia (yes, I stopped using that silly nickname years ago) arrives to take me to lunch and then. "She handed him something like a headband with fuzzy white ears. OK, Steve thought to himself, they're dressing me up in a costume. He thought about it a minute and guessed he could get into it. Debbie did something to his face then put a cardboard mask over it, secured by an elastic band in the back."That's just so you don't mess up your face. You can take it off when we're all done."Debbie reached up and seemed to be doing something with his hair. There was a buzzing sound which must have. Not even a little. It was like she was sketching the outlines of the story I'd expect to hear if I hadn't started poking around at the curtain in my head. And maybe if I hadn't, that would have been enough. Would I have preferred that? Still, I nodded. I stood up, tears I didn't know I had the ability to produce on demand rolling down my cheeks. We embraced, long and tight, without speaking another word about it. # As certain as I was that Mom's story was bullshit, I wasn't sure whether she. I'm.....very lucky you didn't try to stab me."Adam said nothing, just closed his eyes and was now regretting notattempting to pick up the knife.Conrad continued, "What if you had picked it up and tried to use it? Doyou think you could have got in a good shot on me?" No.....master. I.....never even thought about anything.....I just....." Do you think you could have got a shot on me?" Conrad repeated."No. No, master," said Adam quietly."Why not, Ashley?" asked Conrad quietly, now practically.