A week had passed. John was sitting in his hotel room. His cell phone started to ring.

"Hello?" He said.

"Hi dad." Grace said

"Hey Grace." "How's the new job working out?"

"It's great."

"That's great."

"How have you been?"

"Good."

"Anything new going on with you?"

"Not really."

"Dad how much longer are you gonna do this to yourself?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I know you loved mom but this isn't what she wanted for you."

"Wanna talk to your sister?"

"Yeah."

John went into the living room. Clara was sitting on the floor watching cartoons.

"Clara." He said sitting down next to her. "Guess who's on the phone?"

"Who?"

"Sissy." "Wanna talk to her?"

"Yeah." John held the phone up to her ear. "Hi sissy."

"Hi Clara." Grace said.

"Me miss you."

"I miss you to."

"Come home please."

"I'm gonna come visit you and daddy real soon." "Ok?"

"Ok." "I love you.

"I love you too." "Put daddy back on the phone ok?"

"Ok." "Bye."

John put the phone back up to his ear.

"Hello?" He said.

"She's getting so big." Grace said. "I have to go but I'll call again soon."

"Ok." "Be safe." "I love you."

"I love you too dad." "Bye."

"Bye."

Amelia was at lunch with Paige.

"Doing anything tonight?" Paige asked.

"I have to watch Clara for John."

"Amelia when was the last time you went out on a date?"

"I don't know." "Six, seven months."

"How can you go that long?" "Unless you're holding out for someone."

"Like who?"

"Oh, I don't know." "Maybe someone who lives by the mantra of Hustle, Loyalty and Respect."

"Me and John?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"You two spend an awful lot of time together."

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't find John attractive but we're just friends." "I've known John for a little over a year and I've learned one definite thing about him." "He'll never get over the death of his wife." "He's devoted to her even in death." "Holding out for him would be like waiting for a new ice age." "He tries his best to hide it but most of the time he's so sad." "I feel bad for him." "I wish I could do something for him."

"I could think of something." Paige said smiling.

"Stop it."

"You can't tell me with as much as you two spend together that the thought has never crossed your mind."

"Well it hasn't."

"You're not a very good liar Amelia."

Later that night Amelia was watching Clara. Clara had been sleeping for an hour. John came through the door.

"Hi." Amelia said.

"Hey." "She sleeping."

"Yep."

"Was she good?"

"Yeah."

"Wanna stay for a beer?"

"Sure." John took out his wallet and handed her the money he owed her. He went and got two beers from the fridge. He handed her hers and sat down next to her. "Your shirt should be ready by next week."

"Good." "I talked to Grace today."

"How is she doing?"

"Good she likes her job."

"That's great."

"I think she's worried about me?"

"Why?"

"She asked if there was anything new going on with me." "I think she thinks I need to start dating." "I get it." "She doesn't want be to be alone." "She wants me to be happy but I am."

"Really?"

"I'd be happier if Lucy were here."

"I didn't know Lucy but do you really think she'd want you to be alone?"

"I know she wouldn't." "Before she died she made me promise to find someone else." "I want to keep that promise but I love her to much." "Plus if I ever did start dating again I'd have to find someone who not only I liked but was good with Clara."

"How could anybody not like Clara?" "I love her to pieces."

"I know." "That's why you make such a good babysitter."

"Don't you miss the closeness of a relationship?" "The sex?

"Sex what's that?" He asked jokingly. "I don't even remember what that's like anymore."

"How long has it been?"

"Since about two months before Lucy died." "I don't know if I could enjoy it with another woman."

"You'll never know if you don't try."

"I know." "Speaking of dating life I haven't seen you out with anyone recently."

"Changing the subject on me huh?" "Well I'm busy a lot." "Plus it's always the same story." "They're nice as can be until they take me to bed, then everything changes." "I thought when I got older guys were more mature." "Wrong." "I just want a nice, sweet, guy who I can sit down and have a conversation with." "One who's not just doing it for the objective of getting me in bed." "I guess that's a pipedream."

"No it's not." "You'll meet him."

"Yeah and then I'll meet the seven dwarfs and the wicked queen." She said laughing.

"Don't forget about prince charming."

"The best I could hope for is a frog." "I'd better go." "Thanks for the beer." She got up and threw the bottle away. "See you tomorrow."

"Bye." She left.