Alexis was beet red and walked over to me slowly. I put my hand on Alexis’s cheek, pulled her in for a kiss and said “That was the dirtiest trick ...anyone ever played on me. You’re just like Kelly, and the only thing better than one Kelly, is two.” Alexis perked up at that, and, after apologizing a number of times, kissed me again. I took both girls’ hands in mine and brought them right up to each other, smirking and saying “Now Kelly here informs me that you ladies used to mess around in high. I heard phrases like, “he was kissing her,” and “she’s so beautiful,” and “I just know he’s going to break up with me,” interspersed with the sobs. Eventually her tears slowed down enough that Becky released her.Katie finally looked around and spotted me. Her green eyes were on fire as she pounced at me, claws out. Fortunately for me, Becky quickly grabbed her daughter’s shoulders to keep her back from me. Becky told me to start explaining.“I’m sorry, Katie. My cousin Lucy is here and she. "Luis and May ran downstairs with Kenny and dad following behind. They went through their gifts quickly. Most were handmade, and May loved them all. They were a poor family, particularly since mom had died, but somehow dad always made Christmas a special time. And the best time was when Kenny got to the special gift they had got him. He unwrapped the box and said, "An official, regulation-size NFL football! Dad, I can't accept this."May said, "You better! Luis and I both chipped in to help."Dad. We got to a position we liked and I let him lead. “John Mitchell?” he asked as Mitch was shaking hands on his way to the podium.“That’s right,” he said brightly, sticking out his hand to shake.He smoothly put the envelope into his hand. “You’ve been served, Sir. Mona Mitchell?” She nodded and accepted her envelope. They signed his list and then he was off.I was standing between them and the stage and when Mitch saw me, his face drained of any color. I knew I looked like a corpse. The ghost of.