Tony

We went back out to the cab,

And got in to go back

To Vanessa's house.

Her dad was waiting for us

When we got back. Vanessa

Was still recovering from

The funeral, even though

It had been almost an hour

Ago.

Hello Tony. It's nice to finally

Meet youHer father greeted me

When we came in the front door.

Her little brother came running

Down the hall from the kitchen

To see who was here. He looked

Almost relieved when he saw it

Was his sister.

"You too, sir. I hope I

Didn't have her out too

Long."

Of course not. I under-

Stand how important this

Was to her and you as well.

Me being in the army, I've

Lost a lot of friends as well.

It's not easy.

Vanessa looked up at her

Dad as if seeing him for the

First time. I guessed that her

And her father didn't have a

Great relationship, just like

Pa and I. But it had to be a

Little better than that.

Would you like to stay

For dinner? Her father

Asked. Vanessa's grandmother

Made her favorite.

"Oh, I shouldn't. My pa

Will be wondering where

I am. He's been kinda

Protective since I've gone

To live with him."

I understand. He replied.

I've been sort of the same

Way with Vanessa. I feel like

I have her and never want to let

Her go. He laughed a little. I

Joined in for his sake. After all,

I wanted him to like me.

"Well, I'd better get going

Before he sends the government

Out after me."

Yeah, we wouldn't want

You to get in trouble.

Vanessa said. She squeezed

Me around the waist and

Gave me a little kiss on

The lips. I don't know why,

But I was a little embarrassed

Because we were in front of her

Dad.

"I'll see you soon. I promise."

I told her and gave her a soft

Kiss on the neck. "I'm not that

Far away."

Mm hm. she said. I'll

Keep in touch. I ran

My hand up and down her

Arm, as if to send her

A mental message. "I will

Know if you do." It was

Saying.

"I will always know."