And,your sign-off on that particular email sent him over the edge. Just whatwere you hoping to accomplish? This?" Her eyes filled with tears. Part ofm...e hated this woman. Another part wanted to thank her for taking thatbastard away from us. I put my arm around her and attempted to consoleher. The dog began running for the surf. "Daisy, get over here," Doreenadmonished. The dog pranced slowly back to where we were sitting. Sheexuded total confidence as she sat at her mistress' feet. "He doesn't. At home, I took the computer to my room and re-assembled it.The more I thought about what Joyce said, the more I wondered about my life. Joyce had a very different perspective on it than Jennifer did. Stephanie agreed with Jennifer, but I wondered if that was her own self-interest in my having a girlfriend who supported her. Stephanie had her own ideas about what I should be, and was trying to direct my life in that way. Well, I had about a week to think it through so I could talk to Joyce. You all have that ... delicious ... swimmer's physique."I coughed, more from the compliment about my physique than any residue from the drink. "Uh, never sure I've heard it referred to as 'delicious'."She sighed dreamily, "But it is true." Okay, so you recognized that I'm a swimmer. But how did you know I'd won anything?" You mean besides the comment about your hardware? Besides that moment an hour ago when your friend reached into your jacket and pulled the medal out?"I coughed again, "Oh .... I had to follow suit so I did the same. We both laughed our silly heads off. We made our way to the living-room where we stood facing each other about a foot apart. We were just looking into each other's eyes when she got on her tip-toes and kissed me on the cheek. That took me by surprise and I just stood there with a dumb expression on my face. Patty broke the spell asking, "Can we play cards?"Sure, let me get the deck."I went into the kitchen and got the deck of cards out of the drawer. When.