”“Thank you, Hon. Don’t pay any attention to him. He’ll be asleep, ten minutes into the movie.”Deb whispered, “You don’t have to worry a...bout us. As soon as they dim the lights, my husband and I will be enjoying each other - and the movie too.”“Are you serious? How long have you been married? You both look so young.”Deb and the woman were leaning across me from both sides, and the woman’s breasts were pressed against my wrist where I had my hand on the armrest. I could tell by the feel of her. It was scheduled to land at 6 PM. The general had called shortly after Frank left to go back to Washington to say everything had gone smoothly and had been approved.I had forgotten how busy the restaurant was on Friday nights. We had trouble finding a table for all of us. It seemed like all the county department heads and wives were there as well as law enforcement from several neighboring counties. They were always scheduling the meeting rooms for late afternoon meetings so they could add a. I wasn't a stranger inthe kitchen, we'd all had to help Mom there at one time or another, but Irealized without her saying it, that now she'd expect me to help herthere all the time. I followed her and she put me to work on peelingpotatoes and carrots. In the meantime Mom started preparing the meat. Asshe started cooking I found myself sniffing all the different odors andnot liking all of them. Especially the meat being fried was offensive tome. It used to be my favorite smells, but not. Regularly.”“That won’t be easy.”“It’s a whole lot easier than the ugly mess this could turn into. Promise me.”Timidly, “I promise.”“That wasn’t very convincing. Try again.”Fred starts crying. Smiling, Sean says, “Now I know you aren’t crying.”Fred laughs while still crying. Sean puts his hand on Fred’s shoulder, which startles him. Sean backs off, suggesting, “I’m going to put my hand back on your shoulder.” Fred nods. Sean proceeds, then whispers, “Promise me.”Quietly in his tears, Fred.