.”“Abby...”Ignoring him, she scrubbed angry tears from her face. “Well. If you can’t see that, then I don’t know what else to say.”He st...ood up and grabbed her neck, squeezing just hard enough to let her know he wouldn’t let go. “Ten with a strap for cussing, and then you’ll get your ten with the quirt. I’m going to forgive the slap because I insulted you and I shouldn’t have. Take off your nightgown and bend over the bed, feet apart, toes pointed in.”She stared at him in surprise, and a little. I took a deep breath had headed to thekitchen. I knew that my appearance would open the inevitableconversation.Mom checked me out as I sat down for breakfast, and I could not helpnotice a very approving smile. I always put a lot of effort into pleasingher. If my wearing the nightgown made both of us happy what was wrongwith that?"Good morning, dear. Did you sleep like a princess?"How could I answer that? I just looked down and started eating.To my amazement she did not say anything more about. The blazing sun beating down on you, a slight breeze, and the sound of the waves lapping on to the shore just let all the stress ebb out of you. I laid down and after about 20 minutes, realized that without some cover and heavy duty sun tan lotion, I would be ‘well done’. I put on my “T shirt”, sunglasses, and baseball cap and decided to join the many people who were walking up and down the shoreline. Every age, every body shape, with and without deep tans, some white as sheets, young and old,. "Two days!!" he thought smiling. In two days the rings would arrive! Then the last barrier to him asking Ryoko to be his wife would be gone. Tenchi settled back into the soft padded seat. So glad they'd been able to take the bullet train. Otherwise the trip home would have taken all night. The real surprise being that Grandpa, Mr. Tightwad! Had not only suggested it but paid for the tickets.'I'm getting too old for long excursions.' was all he offered by way of explanations."Play it up.