Yes, we had started as most do, as friends brushing cheeks in greeting; each partner doing the same. As our friendship grew the greeting developed to ...include a hug then our lips brushed in a brief peck. It wasn't long before I noticed the soft, warm brown eyes that had me pause as we released one another's clasp; the pause because a sudden flush flowed through my entire body. There-after our hugs became gradually more extended; our lips met for longer and eyes held their gaze. Condensation. As time went by I found myself getting more and more depressed during the holidays. While Mom handled my birthday, my Great Grandmother handled Thanksgiving and my Grandmother handled Christmas. I was jealous of the beautiful outfits my cousins Jennifer and Katrina wore. They hated getting dressed up in nylons and frilly clothes, and would always kick off their heels or Mary Jane's to move about in their stockings feet. As the photographer in the family I often took lots of shots with them so. I do have my own chickens. Just eat up."Ariel tilted her head, but she didn't press it further. The less the twohad to speak to one another the better. She ate everything and downed theglass of milk. She noticed that it was thicker than usual, but it wascertainly sweeter than normal. All done, Ariel was about to get up, butCassandra caught her hand, keeping her from leaving."Now, now, Kitten. Before you leave, I want to let you know that you'rewelcome here any time. I know that you were a. I felt them twitching, itching to do something.The water around me also remained still. It took so much energy for me to stay still, not fidget around or play with something. I was holding back the waves inside of me, afraid that the tide would take me out to sea.But Lucy had been so proud of me recently...She promised me something special tonight if I could do this. I had to. For her.I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Time seemed to go faster when I stopped thinking and just felt. I.