Speakingwas easier, but it wasn't that that he noticed first. The sound of hisvoice was different. It sounded feminine. He wondered how his parentswou...ld react. His dad had left for work early as usual. Joanne was upand preparing to catch the bus to college."Morning all. My throat is getting better," he said when he arrived inthe kitchen."Morning Paula," said Laura. "My, one sounds different today." I'm still a little croaky," said Paul."But you sound like a girl, no question about it," said. Gently maneuvering alongside the boat dock Mike secured the bowline and Don shut down the power to the engine. Once everything was secure, the girls made their appearance on deck to help store all the chairs and any other loose items that were lying around and could cause safety hazard. As soon as everything was put away Terri and Mike said their farewells and prepared to leave for their boat when Carol approached Mike. Reaching out she put her arms around his neck and pressing her ample. Kendra surprised me when she told me, "Go on and look at the furniture. Nara and I can talk better without you here."I guess she wanted to make sure that Nara understood that I was engaged and remind her of the sly ways of even an old man of thirty. I smiled a bit at Kendra; she really was a mother hen.I ignored the advice about the Salvation Army and went to the same place I brought my own furniture. I told the girl that had waited on me before what I needed and that it had to be delivered. .. that ... well ... when I heard she was pregnant ... I thought..." You thought some older woman had trapped Bret ... and he was merely doing the right thing?"Becky couldn't take her eyes off the next photo. It showed the two of them dancing. Abigail was indeed beautiful and it was obvious they were deeply in love."Something like that." She said quietly. She had seen that look on Bret's face when he looked at her long ago. A tear rolled down her cheek as she remembered the last time she saw.