STOP! READ THIS FIRST!
If you missed reading Chapter 51 - thinking it was only the 'guest review responses' then you need to go back and read the first part of Daniel's adoption.
Yes, there WAS a chapter in there!
(responses to guest reviews are once more found at the END of this chapter)
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Also, I checked with the Amazon/Kindle people and they said that YOU, the buyer, must write in and requests that an update for my story be pushed through for you, but they will not automatically update a story unless there is some serious readability issues. So...I have temporarily removed SIB from being for sale until I can update it with ALL the new chapters as well. Then when I put it back up for sale (with the new chapters included), I will also be publishing the new chapters in a stand alone 'book' that can be downloaded - at the cheapest rate they will allow - for those who bought the earlier version. So they can keep the old and new one without having to ask the Kindle people to update it for them if they do not want to. I will also keep them up here on the FF site for FREE. If you have any questions about this process, please PM me and I will explain it to you the same way they explained it to me.
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And now we continue with the tale of Little Daniel Trouville...
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Seeing is Believing
Appendices #2
Home Sweet Home
A carriage was soon hailed and the three of them climbed inside, with little Daniel firmly planted between the two beaming adults. He talked the entire way back, asking questions about this and that and telling them every thought that seemed to pop into his imaginative little mind. With as many things as he had said and talked about, Erik and Christine were pretty sure they knew everything there was to know about the boy…but they quickly discovered there was more to him than met the eye.
"Will you make me a mask to wear just like you?" he asked suddenly, looking up at Erik with hopeful eyes. "If I had one like yours, then I could be just like the other boys, and not be teased all the time."
"Daniel," Erik began with a sigh of regret. "I know that it has been very hard for you, having to deal with a disfigurement at your age. And I am very sorry you had to go through all that, but hiding your face from the world will never be a permanent solution. Granted, I do wear a mask when I go out in public, but lately I do it more for the sake of others, than for myself."
"I don't understand," he responded, cocking his head to the side in an effort to comprehend Erik's words.
"You see, Daniel," Christine broke in, attempting to make things more clear. "Erik never wears his mask at home or around those who love and care for him. For if a person is your friend, they should not care if you are different. A true companion would love you just as you are, and nothing would ever change their opinion of you…certainly not what you looked like."
"That's right," Erik agreed, once more capturing the boy's full attention. "So when you are with us, we do not want you worrying about covering your face or feeling self-conscious. We love you just the way you are, as will Julianna and anyone else worthy to be called family or friends. Do you understand?"
Daniel nodded his head, his eyes still wide with amazement at the words of love and acceptance he had just heard.
"That isn't to say that I cannot make you a sort of mask that will cover this," Erik added, reaching out to gently touch the blemished side of the boy's face. "For there will always be cruel people in this world who will judge us for being different. But it will only be for special outings and the like…never for at home or around family. All right?"
"Oh, yes!" he agreed, excited by Erik's offer. "I promise!"
After that he began to ask a million questions about Erik's mask; what it was made of, how he had constructed it, and what he used to keep it in place. Erik was just about out of breath from answering them all by the time the coach stopped in front of their home. Opening the door and stepping out, Erik reached in to assist Daniel and then Christine.
"This is your house?" Daniel gasped, staring up at the place once he had climbed out of the cab.
"No…this is our house," Erik corrected him. "You live here now as well."
If at all possible, this made the little boy smile even more and he reached out to take the hand that Christine offered, eager to go inside and explore. Erik grabbed the satchel and followed them up, watching as Daniel exuberantly hopped up the stairs two at a time, his small legs barely long enough to accomplish such a feat. Once inside the boy's eyes grew wide as he spun around, trying to see everything at once.
"We only officially moved in last night," Erik explained, suddenly noting the lack of furnishings in the spacious entryway. There were still a lot of knick-knacks and things to be brought from his lair, something he intended to do in time, yet he hated the idea of the boy thinking they were unable to provide more furniture. "So not all of our belongings have arrived, but enough to be comfortable with for now. And once you have chosen the room you wish to call your own, I will see that it is decorated to your liking…no expense will be spared!"
"Erik, he is a child," Christine laughed, noting that Daniel was hardly listening to anything Erik was saying, still fascinated by his surroundings and eagerly inspecting every nook and cranny. "What do you imagine he will ask for, Egyptian cotton sheets and a diamond incrusted floor?"
"I only meant…" but Erik stopped suddenly when he heard the little boy give a squeal of delight and race through an open door and into another room. The two of them followed with curious looks on their faces, only to discover that Daniel had found the music room. He was already crawling up onto the piano bench and sitting as tall as his little frame would allow. When he reached out one of his tiny fingers and pressed down on a key, the sound it emitted caused him to squeak with joy. Another key was tried, then another and another. It was obvious that he knew nothing about how to play…at least not properly…yet Erik immediately saw his raw potential. After all, without the desire to play an instrument, all the talent in the world was useless.
"Would you like to learn to play the piano?" Erik asked, walking over and taking a seat beside him.
"Oh, yes!" Daniel beamed. "Do you know how?"
"I have been known to dabble a bit," Erik told him in a nonchalant tone, before reaching out and allowing his long, slender fingers to speak for themselves. He did not play much, but what he did had little Daniel's mouth gaping wide as he watched Erik's hands fly across the keys, creating the most amazing music the boy had ever heard. When he finished, Erik looked down at him and smiled. "And with practice, you too can play the very same way. I will teach you."
If Daniel had not already idolized Erik, he was certainly struck with a case of hero-worship now. It was like all his wishes and dreams had come true in one day…and yet he had a feeling that this was only the beginning. He was about to ask Erik to play some more, but Christine's voice from the doorway stopped him.
"How about we head upstairs and see about choosing a room for you, Daniel?" she offered, once more holding out her hand to him.
It moved Daniel deeply that this pretty woman was not afraid to touch him or to look at him without shying away or appearing sad. Only Madame Leffere, who had taken care of him since before he could remember, had been able to be around him without acting strange. The other helpers at the orphanage were kind…but none of them went out of their way to spend any extra time with him. He had always been more independent than the other children, quickly learning self-reliance so that he did not have to bother anyone to help him dress or bathe. Yet here was this lady, offering her touches and smiles and he could not help but lap it up like a kitten with a saucer of milk. Scrambling down off the bench he quickly ran to her side and took her hand in his, grinning up at her without an ounce of shame upon his face.
"I get my own room?" he asked as Christine led him out the door and towards the stairs, waiting there just long enough to make sure Erik grabbed the boy's bag before they all headed up together.
"There is a very nice one right next to Julianna's room, with a big window that overlooks the back yard," she explained as they crested the landing and walked down the hallway. "I think you will like that one very much."
When Erik stopped at the door and pushed it open, gesturing for the boy to go inside, he stepped through with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Yet what he saw apparently pleased him greatly, for he once again gave a squeal of delight and ran straight for the bed. Crawling up onto the springy mattress he threw himself back on the downy quilt and let his whole body sink into the feathery goodness.
"My very own room with my very own bed!" Daniel cried, a fit of giggles quickly following his words. He then sat up and looked around, his eyes taking in the rest of the room in mere seconds. Next he jumped down and rushed to the large window, pressing his nose to the plate glass as he stared out at the massive back yard that would quickly become his playground of wonder.
"The dresser over here will be yours," Christine informed him, as she took the satchel from Erik's hands and set it beside the wooden piece of furniture. "I know you did not bring much with you, but we will soon see that all the drawers are filled with shirts, pants and all other kinds of clothing for you to wear."
"Now who is going a bit overboard?" Erik teased as he approached his wife from behind, whispering his words into her ear. A wicked grin spread across his lips as he watched Christine give a shiver of delight, his voice taking on an almost sensuous tone that always made her hum with pleasure. "Little boys do not care about clothes, my love."
"Oh, and what do little boys enjoy?" she countered, leaning back against his solid chest.
"Not the same thing that bigger boys crave," he assured her, doing his best to remember that there was an impressionable child in the room. He then cleared his throat and took a few steps away from his desirable wife. "And certainly not how many pairs of pants he owns. A boy needs paper and pencils, building blocks and books to keep his mind active…not to mention toys." His eyes grew wide as a thought suddenly struck him. "And a pony!"
"A pony?!" Daniel asked, turning around to face Erik.
"Seriously, Erik? A pony at his age?" Christine was not sure if she liked the idea of that. "He is only four years old, he could get hurt!"
"Samuel is only four and Amir is teaching him to ride!" Erik offered in his defense.
"And I suppose if Amir and his son decided to jump off the Pont Alexandre and into the Seine, then you would think you had to as well?" she countered, crossing her arms and staring at him sternly.
"Who is Samuel…and Amir?" Daniel spoke up, blissfully ignorant of the battle of wills going on before him over Erik's suggestion.
"You will meet them soon enough," Christine smiled, knowing that it would not be long before Erik invited his friend over to proudly show off his new son. "But for now, let us head downstairs and make some lunch. I know that I am getting hungry, how about you?"
Daniel nodded in agreement and headed for the door, but stopped suddenly and ran back to the window. There he reached into his shirt pocket and took out the neatly folded swan and set it on the windowsill, pressing gently on the paper folds until its wings were spread wide and its long, slender neck jutted out proudly in the noonday sun. When he was satisfied with how it looked, being his first attempt at decorating his sparse room, he ran back and took hold of both Erik and Christine's hands.
"So, do I really get a pony?" he asked, grinning wildly as he allowed them to escort him back down the stairs.
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They had just reached the foyer when there came a knock at their door. Erik and Christine looked curiously at one another, both having no idea who it might be. Thinking that perhaps her parents could be returning Julianna sooner than expected, Christine headed for the door, quite anxious to introduce Daniel to the rest of his new family. Yet when she pulled it open, it was not the faces of her parents that waited on the other side…but instead those of Amir and Samuel.
"Amir…what a surprise," she stammered. "To what do we owe the pleasure?" Christine was not quite sure if Erik was prepared for a battle of wits with his Persian friend at the moment. Yet she could hardly tell him to go away and shut the door in his face…even if that was something Erik would have no trouble doing.
"Samuel and I have come to meet the newest member of your family, of course," Amir told her, stepping inside, followed closely by little Samuel. He was holding a box in his arms and wore a very smug smile on his face.
"How…how did you know?" Christine gasped, looking from the pleased Persian to Erik and back again. "Did Erik tell you?"
"I would never discuss such a thing with anyone before you, my dear!" Erik protested, approaching the three of them, with Daniel in tow. "Much less him!"
"Your husband speaks the truth, Christine," Amir assured her, his grin never wavering. "Yet I did not earn the title of Daroga of Mazanderan for nothing. I am very well connected in this town, you know, and I have spies everywhere. And when it comes to Erik, old habits die hard…so you can't fault me for making it my business to know what his business is at all times."
"Oh, really?" Erik replied as he crossed his arms and gave the man a skeptical look. "Spies, you say? And who exactly would that be, for I know that Victor has wisely stopped supplying you with information about my activities quite some time ago."
Amir was about to respond when he caught sight of the small boy next to Erik, standing as tall as he could and folding his own little arms in an exact copy of the man beside him. The child was even doing his best to mimic the smirk on Erik's face as well and the vision they made caused him to burst out in laughter.
"Fine! I have no spies," he chuckled in confession. "Monique and I were in town this morning and saw the three of you coming out of the orphanage. It did not take much deductive reasoning to figure out your purpose for being there. And the presence of this young gentleman here only proves I was right." He then held up the box he had brought. "And seeing as how this all came about quite suddenly, Erik, I figured that you did not take time to consider what a boy of his age might require. So, Monique and I went home and packed up a few of Samuel's things he had outgrown and brought over a care package to help welcome the lad. You will find clothes, toys and a few books in here, enough to get him by until you can see that he is properly outfitted."
"Amir, that was very kind of you," Christine said, deeply touched by their friends' gesture. She then gave Erik a look that told him he needed to respond as well.
"Yes, Daroga…it was very nice," he replied begrudgingly.
"Please tell Monique thank you as well," Christine continued. "That was very thoughtful of her to think of such things."
"She would have come with me, but one trip outside the house per day is about all she can take this late in her pregnancy," he was quick to explain. "I left her home with her feet propped up and a cool glass of lemonade in her hand."
Samuel, who had been standing by politely while the grownups talked, had finally reached his limit of patience and bounded forward, eager to meet the little boy who was just about his size. His actions startled Daniel and he quickly ducked behind Erik's legs for protection, peeking out while trying to keep the right side of his face sufficiently hidden.
"Hello!" Samuel greeted, not at all deterred by Daniel's shyness. "My name is Samuel…what's yours?"
Daniel turned his head and looked up at Erik, seeking guidance for how he was supposed to respond. When Erik looked down and gave him a smile and a nod he swallowed his fear and answered in a hesitant voice.
"Daniel…" he began, and then in a stronger tone, one filled with a hint of pride, he added. "Daniel Trouville."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Daniel Trouville," Amir cut in, setting the box down on a nearby bench and knelt down beside his son as he too greeted the boy. "Samuel here has been looking for someone to play with and I was hoping you two could become friends, just like Erik and I." At that, Erik gave a bit of a snort, but Amir chose to ignore it.
"We could go out back and I can show you the swing that Uncle Erik made for Julianna," Samuel suggested, anxious to give the boy the grand tour. "But she is still too little to use it; she would fall and hurt herself. So I am the only one who swings on it so far. But now with you here, we can take turns pushing each other and it will be twice as much fun! Or we could play tag instead or whatever you want to do!"
"You…you want me to play with you?" Daniel asked, apparently shocked that this new little boy did not shy away from him because of his face. "You don't mind that…that I look…different?"
Samuel cocked his head to the side and regarded Daniel thoughtfully.
"You do look different," he agreed, with all his childish honesty. "But so do I. I have darker skin than you and some of the other kids make fun of me for that." When he felt Amir's hand pat his shoulder in a comforting gesture, Samuel turned and smiled at his father. "But my papa says that looks do not matter, it is what is on the inside that counts." He then looked back at Daniel with a shrug of indifference. "Besides, Uncle Erik's face looks even worse, and I still like him."
"Samuel!" Amir gasped, turning beet red at his son's thoughtless words.
However when Erik burst out in laughter, shocking everyone with his good humor, all the tension in the room quickly vanished.
"Your son has indeed inherited your flair for tact, Daroga…but he does have a point," Erik said, causing Amir to release a sigh of relief. "And if Samuel can stand to be around me, looking as I do, who am I to argue with his logic and generosity?"
"Can I take Daniel out to play then?" the miniature Persian asked, completely oblivious to the importance of what had just been said.
"Of course you can," Christine agreed. "As long as he wishes to go outside and play as well."
"I do!" Daniel spoke up, now quite eager to spend time with his new friend who didn't seem intent on teasing him or calling him cruel names like the other boys he knew.
"Then you two have fun," Erik nodded, also giving his permission. "Just be sure to come back inside when we inform you that lunch is ready," he instructed, recalling that the preparation of a noontime meal had been the reason they had come downstairs in the first place. He still might not be prone to eat very often, but he knew his wife…and now his son, needed regularly scheduled nourishment. He certainly couldn't have Madame Leffere showing up and accuse him of starving the boy…she would never allow him to stay then!
"We will!" Samuel promised, grabbing Daniel by the hand and running out the back patio doors with the boy in tow.
Once the doors shut behind them, leaving the grownups alone, Amir's smile grew even wider as he slapped Erik on the back with pride.
"Erik, if someone had told me six years ago that you would turn out to be such a family man, I would have accused them of overindulging in heavy drink!" he laughed.
"The same could be said for you," Erik pointed out, recalling the Persian's overly amorous nature with the fairer sex.
"Yet look at you now," he continued, ignoring Erik's little jab. "A husband, a beloved son-in-law and now a father of not only one…but two fine children! You do amaze me!"
"A feat I never found difficult to accomplish, given your lack of faith in me, it would seem," Erik retorted.
"What on earth moved you to decide to adopt?" he pressed, effectively disregarding Erik's accusatory manner. "And so suddenly, I might add."
"Erik had met Daniel one day while walking by the orphanage," Christine informed Amir, knowing that her husband was often reluctant to recount his own deeds of kindness. "As you saw, they made a special connection right away, one that he could not get out of his mind…or his heart. When he suggested we meet with the boy, I believed that I too would wish to adopt him, yet I was not prepared for the overwhelming sense of love that took hold of me the moment I spoke with him. Everything might have happened rather quickly, as you say, but it feels like the most right thing in the world. I now care as much for Daniel as if he were my own flesh and blood."
"There is no doubt about that," Amir agreed. "And from the way he looks at you, my dear, he feels the same way."
"I do hope so," she smiled, blushing a bit at his praise. "Yet, what kind of mother would I be if I did not see to his lunch? You and Samuel will join us I hope?"
"We would be delighted," he informed her. "Besides I seriously doubt I will be able to pry my son away from here, now that he has found a new playmate. Between his attachment to your daughter, and now your son, we might never see hide nor hair of him again!"
"He is welcome here anytime," Christine assured him. "Isn't that right, Erik."
"Of course," he nodded, then gave Amir a sly grin. "Samuel is always welcome."
When Christine saw the two men exchange sour looks, she simply rolled her eyes and headed off to the kitchen, leaving the second set of little boys alone in the foyer.
"Seriously, Erik…you did a good thing today," Amir admitted as they walked into the parlor and Erik poured them both a small glass of brandy. "It is quite obvious that he could not have found a more perfect home than this, considering his facial affliction."
"I admit that the moment I saw him, it was as if I were looking in a mirror and seeing myself at his age, Daroga," Erik revealed, as both men sat down in the fine leather chairs in front of the fireplace. "After we spoke, I could not sleep or eat without picturing the suffering he must be enduring, having no one to understand him or give him the love he deserved. Thankfully, my angel, Christine, saw things the same as I and we were miraculously able to bring him home, despite the apparent rules and regulations surrounding an adoption. The woman at the orphanage was amazingly kind and helpful…it didn't hurt that she was also a big fan of the opera."
"Wealth and fame does have its perks," Amir chuckled. "It shocked me to see just how much the two of you resembled each other…not only due to your…well, you know," he stated, gesturing to Erik's once again glowering face. "But the way he was trying to mimic you, in stance and attitude. You will do well to school your temper and old Opera Ghost ways…he will undoubtedly copy you at every turn, and you will want to set a good example."
"Are you insinuating that I am not a paragon of virtue, Daroga?" Erik asked, in a mocking tone, doing his best to appear offended.
"Ha! I would be hard pressed to use Erik Trouville and the word virtuous in the same sentence without choking," he scoffed. "In fact, if I did not know you better, I might be tempted to accuse you of having some dalliance and fathering the child yourself, with as much as he seems to take after you, Erik."
"I WOULD NEVER CHEAT ON CHRISTINE!" Erik bellowed, sitting forward in his chair at such an alarming rate that a bit of alcohol sloshed out of his glass and onto the rug at his feet.
"Of course you wouldn't!" Amir was quick to placate him. "Now simmer down before Christine comes in to see what I have done to upset you this time. I never meant to impugn your character or suggest that such a thing truly happened…I was just commenting on the uncanny resemblance you share with the boy, that is all."
"Well…see that you do not even hint at such a thing again," Erik threatened, not quite pacified by Amir's apologetic words. "I am still in shock that I was able to find the world's most amazing angel to love, and then to be doubly blessed by the fact that she loves me in return! So the last thing I would ever do is betray her trust or throw away such perfection in a callous way. As of today, Daniel is, and will always be, my son…but I swear that I never sired him."
"Again, it was only a joke, Erik," Amir huffed.
"Well, it was a poor one," he retorted. "A very poor one indeed!"
"At least with this child you might not be so high strung," Amir continued, swiftly trying to change the subject. "You will find that having a son frees you of a lot of the worry and stress you seem to associate with having a daughter. There is so much less concern over a boy as to when he will become a man and go in search of a lovely lady." He then raised an eyebrow and looked at his masked companion suspiciously. "You didn't decide to adopt Daniel simply to get back at me for all my harmless teasing, did you?"
"The thought never crossed my mind," Erik answered in an indignant tone, suddenly very attentive to the glass of brandy in his hand.
"Hmmm," Amir mused, not quite sure if he believed him. Yet any words he meant to speak died on his lips when the back patio doors burst open and the sound of a crying boy met their ears.
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OH NO! Was that a cliffie? Where did that come from? ha ha.
Yes, it would appear that I can't stop, and there will indeed be a chapter 3 of little Daniel's 'doption. ha ha.
So how did you like his reaction to the house. To the piano. To his room. Too his new parents?
What did you think of Amir and Samuel showing up and how he teased Erik about how he found out. ha ha.
I was shocked that Erik didn't punjab him for insinuating that Erik fathered little Daniel. AS IF!
So what do you think happened in the back yard? Tune in next time and find out. ha ha.
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MY wonderful Guest reviewers!
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MlleNikki: Yah, the whole "lets write more about Daniel" thing just would NOT get out of my head! ha , I made you misty eyed? GOOD! I think I even choked myself up at the part where he came running down the stairs begging them not to leave without him. haha. OH yes, please DO read my other stories - if they interest you. But without an account or me still posting chapters I don't know how I will be able to respond to you! But I promise I will GET each review and love it! So making an account would be the best I think. ha ha. Thanks! FP33
Guessst: It kind of did, didn't it? See what Anna started? He is passing on the love she showed him to another that is in need of it. Amir better NOT make any jokes here... And I know he would never make fun of the boy or his face, but one mention of Erik growing a heart or something would be just as deadly. haha. He will get punjabbed for sure! Erik's protective Daddy senses are on overload. Everyone keeps asking for a "grown up kids" chapter...but I am not sure if I have that in me...we will have to see. Thanks!
Alicia: Hmmmm ANOTHER request for a chapter with the kids all grown up...we will see. I don't have anything planned for that at the moment...but we will see. Thanks for the review and request! FP33
Brittney: I am so happy you liked it! Little Erik was my favorite part too, he was such a cutie to write...I think that is why little Daniel moves me so much. He reminds me of our Erik as a child. I am so happy the paper swan worked out as well as it did. I didn't realize when I first started how it would be so interwoven throughout the story and be such an icon. Once I was done with the whole thing I had to go on line to Youtube and learn how to fold one just so I could make it for the book cover. haha. Oh I have no immediate plans to stop writing. It is my most favorite hobby! And best of all, it costs nothing to do! Well, I do spend a lot of TIME on it, but no money to speak of. haha. I hope you will enjoy my next one - as well as the other four I have already finished on my FF page. Go look! Thanks, FP33
PhantomChristine: I am with you. I would have taken him home in an instant. And of course I will give you more about the little boy...don't you dare pull a Daniel sad face on me! I would might be the death of me. ha ha I will see what I can do about fulfilling the rest of your wishes...but don't hold your breath. ha ha.
Happy Dance: 46 - I too enjoy that Erik and Anna have such a close relationship even after all these years. Erik is a good friend and he protects those who he likes...Monique getting her job back is a prime example. Go ahead, wrap Erik up and protect him...as for the never letting go...we will see how long he can handle THAT. ha ha. 47 - Yep, Charles is quite pleased that he got a job where his daughter works. Walrus..ha ha, funny! Of course the boys would protect Anna! No more life raft for Charles, he is squarely on board. 48 - Well...Erik IS the Opera Ghost, so the connection IS there, if people would just look, ha ha. I am glad you liked the wedding. 49 - Thanks for finding it tasteful. I could not let Erik think he got away with that whole bathtub scene! 50 - ha ha, you must have looked a sight! ha ha. Erik does seem to have it all...except a son...maybe he can get THAT too with little Daniel. 51 - Ummmm, YES I am trying to kill you all with adorableness. ha ha. So happy you liked the chapter, I have had several really positive reviews on it. OH yes, there was no way Erik was leaving without his little boy. He would have slept at the orphanage if the woman had not let them take him home. I am very happy to give out bonus chapters and interact with my wonderful readers! I will not apologize for the cliff hangers though...I do them on purpose! ha ha. I do hope my modern day one goes well, I am rather partial to period stories myself, but I will try anything once...twice if I like it. ha ha. Thanks so much. FP33
Mystery: Oh it is not quite closure yet...ha ha. I just can't stop! I was pretty pleased with how chapter 51 turned out as well. I even had my husband in tears reading it...and he swore he was not going to cry this time, ha ha. OR...you just know my writing style so well now that you KNEW that was what I would write...or it was just a very good guess. Oh, no, I loved your last comparison! That was so sweet!
