’ ‘I’m sorry.’ ‘Seriously,’ I wave my hands and a huge weight lifts off my chest. ‘Don’t be. If anything, you being sorry would make... me feel worse. You are one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. So don’t be sorry for that.’ A man clears his throat and I look up to see our very uncomfortable waiter holding a bottle of white wine. I try to tug my hand out of Leo’s but he holds on. The waiter speaks in rapid fire Italian, pouring a splash of wine in both of our glasses. Leo. I showed them off proudly and made sure that the boys knew that they couldn’t have them either. I was the envy of most of the girls in my class and I never passed up a chance to show them off in the girl’s locker room whenever I could.Tim asked me out on a date and I talked mom into letting me go. However mom and dad had to meet Tim’s parents first. So on Thursday evening Tim and his parents came to our house for drinks and to socialize. Tim’s older sister Tina came too. Tina was nice and came. I knew that he would come soon.While waiting, I tried to remember how to imbue the bracelets with power. Mira must have clouded my mind about the secrets of magic we had once shared. Essence, essence, it seemed to whisper to me. Essence. What did that mean? As I looked at the low-hanging branches of our tree, I reminded myself that its leaves touched the ground and totally blocked any view from the outside. I picked up the bracelet from the ground and dusted it off. Essence? Essence? Of course!. As Rajshree walked out the door she told me to wish her luck and said she loved me. I know this guy Mr. Sultanali will be getting an eyeful of my wife tonight. I hope we can get rid of him early to top off the night with a celebration of our own.Later that evening I sat down and tried to read the paper but couldn’t concentrate on what I was reading. I had gone out and picked up a couple bottles of good wine. I had remembered Rajshree mentioning she was meeting Mr. Sultanali at her office and.