That was the “threat” I was entertaining with mounting intensity when I was jarred by a brilliant flash, followed almost instantly by an ear-shatt...ering thunder clap. The lights flickered once and were gone. Already skittish from the storm, Julio, with his muzzle jammed between my legs, jerked so hard when the thunder boomed that he lifted my hind-end clear off the floor. I lunged forward, between the partition poles, to escape my “fate worse than death.” Of course, by the time I had climbed to. ”“And if Kara and I had said yes? Then what?”“You wouldn’t. And even if you did, Kara wouldn’t, because of our history.”“And you thought it would be a good idea to even ask me about it, let alone ask Kara?”“What harm did it do? None! I’m sure that Becky realized that Kara would never say ‘yes’ because of what happened six years ago.”She paused, narrowing her eyes, “Are you SURE?”“About what? That Kara would say ‘no’?”Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure. Kara wasn’t the same person she was six years ago,. The pool fed a creek that ran through her property leaving a line of trees all along its length. There was plenty of water even in the hottest and driest time of the year.Grace gazed into the distance, and I figured she had something on her mind. I waited.After a couple of minutes she looked at me and said, "Things seem to be going pretty well, Robert. She emphasized the "Robert," but with a smile, and then went on, "We haven't had much time to talk ... so tell me how you're doing."I let her. Wendy told me that there was more than just the gown in the box. I found satin lingerie in a light green shade that would go under the gown, three pairs of green stockings, and a pair of 3-inch heels, dyed to match the color of the gown. I held the gown in front of me as Kimberly took a picture. "We wanted you to have your bridesmaid gown, as well as your wedding gown, to truly remember your big day," Wendy said.I then started opening the rest of the presents, making sure that I carefully.