After a hot day of sitting in front of the rotating fan, at least four showers, a lot of bare shiny skin, and the twelfth ice block of the day; Shane ...suggested that they go to the beach at Secret Spot. She didn't have a clue what he was talking about, so he explained it was a place he and his surfing mates used to go to and have the whole section of the beach to themselves. A little excited — and a bit uneasy about going to some foreign place — but totally trusting of her love, she agreed to. We’re delighted. She paid for two extra days and we’ve made such great use of them, you’ll hardly recognize her. That’s why I’m calling. Her final exams and graduation ceremony are tomorrow afternoon and evening and we’d all love for you and Paul to participate.”“We wouldn’t miss it”, I say warmly. “We love you guys.”“Why don’t you come for lunch at noon then” she says and I agree with a lilt in my voice. Gloria greets us at her door, a big wet kiss on the mouth for me, a big hug and deep. .. Was I ready to talk to a crowd?It turns out that I was more than ready. Wendy sat by my side that night as I attempted to draft my ten-minute speech. I had no clue as to where to start.Wendy grabbed a pad and a pen. "Okay, Pete. How about just telling me what's so great about being a teen? This is your second time at it. Tell me why you enjoy life so much."I could have kissed her. I guess that's one of the things that I enjoyed so much in this life!We worked until nearly midnight, Wendy. I turned to him. I recognized him. It was the Mad Cracker! I’d seen him that first night I’d noticed the Moon in Washington Square, and here he was again. He looked at me, and seemed to know that I recognized him. He was about to run away, when I smiled. What nut case this guy was! He’d been shooting fire-works off all summer, just to impress some girl. Something about how insane that was appealed to me, and I gave the odd little dude a smile. He smiled back, held a finger to his lips as if to.