A few minutes later there was another knock and then I heardsomeone saying "John, answer it is Paul your backyard neighbor, I sawyou outside a few min...utes ago."Now I was really surprised and a bit scared. Paul was a nice guy andalways very friendly, but I did not know if he had seen me dressed asJoanne. What should I do? Well he was there and if he had seen me itwas too late, and if not well I was hoping he would understand. So Iopened the door and let him in. Once inside he looked at me. Then we did it again, to carry the cooler, table and chairs. Had it been just the two of us, we would have made it in one trip. The "campsite" was a clearing adjacent to a stream on a high bank. The stream had attracted us on the map during our first scouting visit, hoping for a private place to skinny-dip, one of those often considered fantasies that had proved to be difficult to carry out. Well, we had carried it out. The water was very cold, but there was a pool of water several feet deep,. . I will ... It was good talking to you."Bailey reached for the phone, but her mother swatted her hands away. She covered the mouthpiece. "He wants to talk to your father ... Andy! Telephone!"Dumbfounded, Bailey stared as her mother waited for the other phone to pick up, then she hung up the receiver. She was even more shocked when her dad didn't come and get her when he finished his conversation with Gabe.She thought to call him back, but a little part of her grew angry.What the hell does he. He has hugged me long enough to satisfy himself. He steps back and puts his hands on either side of my face. For the first time since he told me that he loves me a quarter ago, he speaks again. He says the same thing. ?I love you.? And he says it with the same sincere tone as last time. I believe that he still means it.?I love you,? I reply. The statement comes automatically because I cannot leave his love hanging in the air between us without giving it back. But that does not make my words.