But you get funny, sometimes." He smiled softly then shrugged. "I shoulda asked before now, so I'm askin' — how you been?"The trick about Alex — a...nd what had made him tolerable over the years even when he was a complete dick — was that underneath it all, he actually cares. He really just wanted people to be happy and he was truly upset when people he loved were hurting. Alex used to cry at the end of sappy movies; that's why he refused to watch them anymore. "It's been fine." I said lightly.He. ..my new...old self that is." Radar? Miss Hilf?" I hinted with my finger while holding back agiggle."What was that all about Commander?" Adm. Demmit growled."Women's thing Admiral, nothing you want to hear about." Hummf" Ladies, let's get this briefing started shall we?" Adm. Demmit said ashe motioned for us all to be seated."As you all know, the past few days I have been looking into possiblesites for a new base of operations. I have narrowed my search to threeor four locations on the smaller. I drove down the major street for only a few blocks when a cube van smashed into my side of the car. We were pushed sideways. I slammed on the brakes but a parked car was just too close. I pushed the brake harder and we hit. The air bags suddenly exploded and we came to a stop. Somebody was going to pay now.Margaretta was out the door and left the briefcase on the floor. I could not get out because the truck was only a door thickness away. I climbed over the console and got out. I looked around. This was a good man whose time was being cut cruelly short. He deserved better, but there was nothing I could do or say that would make him better. I turned away so he wouldn't see my tears.It wasn't a big shock when Deb told me that Ralph had cancelled his June treatment. Deb didn't say so, but I knew this was a family decision and they were resigned to losing their husband and father. I felt terrible as well as frustrated. All the science and wonderful drugs that man had invented could not.