All of the farm staff turned to and fixed up the small barn as a community hall. Jessica Moro and Mat Borrego arranged a potluck dinner. Anu had sent ...turkeys from Earth for the main course. Neil Manfred put together a dance band. We had a barn dance. The party went on until 0200. Waush Shaua danced four dances with me."This was a great idea." Waush Shaua said, "We should do this every year. Tomorrow let's get together with Jessica, Mat and Neil. We can plan next year's party." We won't be here. He won’t be missin’ out on somethin’ as important as yer birthday.” Kahrin continued in a stage whisper, “Which is a right good thing for ye too lass. The only man I’ve had better n’ Master Kal is the big lout sittin’ in that chair over there.”Having easily heard everything the barmaid just said, Bren chuckled, a deep bass rumbling that seemed to emanate more from his chest than his mouth. Perra swore she could feel the man’s laughter through the floorboards. Her eyes momentarily flicked to his. Everyone is asuperstar.Yet somehow, the games must go on.There was no public address system, no booming announcer, and no startinglineups.But somehow, an inaudible whistle assailed everyone's senses, lettingeverybody know they had witnessed the signal for the games to begin.The first event of the evening wasn't a team sport. It would be the four-hundred meter dash after three martinis, while wearing stiletto heels. The first competitor would be a rookie.* * *The kid stepped out of the alley. We decided that this occasion deserved a nice dinner and so we went to a nice restaurant and that's when I sprang my own surprise on everyone."Mom, you have given up so much of yourself to raise me and even more to get me this far. You have sacrificed and gone without just so I would have what I needed to make my way to this point. Now that I have graduated college, it's time for me to start to pay back my debt," I started."Oh honey, you don't have to do that!" Mom said."Yes, I do, Mom. And I'm.