Australia - Location Uncertain
Anna swayed in her saddle. She took her hat off and wiped at her forehead. She squinted at the lowering sun. Had they been wandering for forever or did it simply feel that way?
"Robert wouldn't it be easier to use GPS to find us the direct route to the cabin?" asked Anna as she put her hat back on her head. "You have the single phone we have."
"That would defeat the purpose of camping," replied Robert.
"And what is the purpose of our sojourn into the wilderness?" asked Andrew.
Robert didn't have a ready answer.
Robin took a healthy gulp of air then said, "To enjoy the wonders of nature at its simplest and most profound." She pointed at the late afternoon horizon. The sun was on the cusp of its descent. "Have you ever seen anything so wide and awe-inspiring? We should be enjoying more and destroying less in the name of progress."
Robert beamed at his daughter. "Everything she said."
"I could enjoy it more in a comfortable chair with a sturdy roof over my head and a tall, cool drink in my hand," said Anna.
"With the air conditioning on maximum," said Andrew as he wiped his handkerchief across his sweaty face. "My face hurts."
Instantly alert to the most minute sign of an offspring's distress, Anna turned her horse and cantered to Andrew's side. "Did you put on plenty of the sunblock I gave you? Let me see your face." She peered at her son's face.
Robert and Robin looked left then right before mutually deciding on a right turn. The other horses dutifully followed.
"Just put your hat lower to cover more of your face, Andrew," said Robert. "Or tie a bandana across your face."
"Too late. His face is all splotches of red," said Anna. Her arch tone implied that Robert was at fault somehow.
"I swear your precious boy is regressing to childhood the longer he's around you," said Robert.
"I seem to recall a father who had a penchant for picking up his little girl every chance he got," said Anna. "Or who would call long distance every few hours when said child was abed with a cold or fever."
Robin rose to her father's defense with mock outrage, "Mom, I couldn't sleep at night. I'd call Dad and he'd tell me stories until I could sleep. Dad was very comforting. Besides I was under ten years old at the time."
"And it is perfectly natural and appropriate for a mother to attend to her offspring's health and wellbeing at whatever age said child is at," said Andrew. He'd lowered the angle of his hat to reduce the amount of sun hitting his face. Unfortunately, he'd lost his bandana somewhere during the ride.
"I remember how petulant you could get when you're not feeling well," needled Robert. "You'd have this cute little pout and look so cross."
Robin smirked. "Sounds adorable!"
Andrew flushed a deep red.
"Petulant? Grumpy? Irritable? Remind you of someone, Robert?" asked Anna.
Robert smiled widely ignoring Anna's on target jibe. "See! This is the kind of family bonding and witty repartee I imagine we would be having on this trip!"
Anna whispered in Andrew's direction. "We need to humor your father a little bit longer." She sped up to reclaim the third spot in the convoy.
At the head of the line, Robert stopped and let Robin catch up to him. He asked her in a low voice. "How are you doing, sweetheart? Tired? You're not used to all this anymore."
Robin grinned. "Just fine, Dad. I love the open spaces. I didn't realize how much I'd missed it. I can't wait to see the stars tonight."
"So the old man had a good idea, huh?"
"Very," said Robin. "Thanks, Dad."
The sense of paternal warmth surging through Robert was brought to an abrupt halt by another voice in the caravan.
"Are we there yet?" asked Andrew.
Donely Penthouse
Tiffany, Bobbie, Maxie and Felicia arranged and examined the bridal gowns on three racks with two dresses per rack. This way they could clearly see the front and back of all the dresses.
Relaxing in an armchair and rewarding himself with a good cocktail, Sean looked at the feminine show playing out in front of him. "Honey, was it necessary to buy all six of the dresses?"
Hands on hips, Tiffany addressed her husband of countless years. "It was since YOU could not make a decision AT the store."
"Oh," was all Sean could reply with.
"We are all here giving you the benefit of our collective wisdom, honey," said Tiffany.
"You're letting Sean decide, Tif? Is that such a good idea?" asked Bobbie perusing Dress Four. "I like the lace on this one."
Maxie rustled the folds of Dress Six. "The detail on this is wonderful. Look at the artful folds, the hint of color."
Felicia paused in front of Dress Eight. "Maybe simple is best. There's less for Anna to not like."
Maxie looked at Dress Eight. "Mom, please, that has no excitement. It's for … for vestal virgins or something."
"It's the bride's day not the dress' day, Maxie," Felicia shot back. "As long as the bride is radiant, what else matters?"
"Anna always liked understated glamour," said Bobbie walking over to study another dress. "Dress Three isn't bad either."
"Ugh, the wide shoulders straps would overwhelm a petite woman," said Maxie.
Felicia pointed at Dress Seven. "This one has tinier straps. It has what did you call it, Tiffany?"
"The bling factor," said Tiffany. "Bobbie has a point. Anna has the air of old school glamour. The fifth dress would have been divine. Divine Devane, I tell you!"
"Fifth dress?" asked Maxie. "Can we see that one?"
"No. It's NOT the one," said Felicia very firmly. She gave a look at Maxie and Bobbie that implied the subject was closed. Knowing Felicia for years, Bobbie got the unsaid subtext, too.
"This is the problem. We are women, thank God," said Tiffany. "And we look at these fabulous creations with feminine eyes. In order to make a good decision, we need to be objective."
"Hence Sean," concluded Bobbie.
Tiffany stood behind Sean and placed a hand on each of his shoulders. "The burden is great but I'm sure you can make the right choice."
"You have less than 24 hours," said Maxie. "The courier picks it up by eight in the morning tomorrow."
"What?! No one told me!" exclaimed Sean. He could feel the beads of perspiration forming on his forehead. "How could you schedule it so soon, Maxie?"
"We have to allow for transit time. The dress can't be late so it's better for it to arrive there a full day or more before the ceremony," said Felicia. "Maxie did the right thing."
Maxie smiled at her mother. "Thanks, Mom."
"Anytime," Felicia replied.
"Which will it be, Sean?" asked Bobbie with a mischievous look.
"I … I think I n-n-need another man's opinion first," said Sean.
"Who else knows Anna as well as you do?" asked Tiffany. "Mac and Frisco aren't in town. Compared to your past missions, this has to be a piece of cake, Sean! Suck it up and decide!"
Sean groaned. "Get me another drink. Make it a double."
Camp Scorpio - Actual Location Still Unknown
An hour after declaring the cabin itself to be misplaced, Robert made an executive decision and set up camp some meters from the banks of a slow moving creek. It would be dusk within two hours. It would be best to make camp before then. Besides, he had noticed Robin physically slump in her saddle a few times. He could not subject her to more riding.
In a shallow pit, a healthy fire blazed. On opposite sides of the fire had been set up two camps with pairs of campers surreptitiously eyeing the other side all the while setting up their respective camp areas. Robert stowed their roll packs inside the tent. Robin inspected every tent spike that Robert had earlier sunk into the ground as he had taught her on her first camping trip with him a long time ago. She made sure the tent was securely tied to each spike. Made for four people, the sturdy but plain tent would be quite roomy for two people - her and Robert.
The other two campers in the meantime were busy going back and forth carrying parcels from the extra pack horses to the tent and back. Occasionally, a glimpse of the inside of the four person luxury tent could be had. With deft hands, Anna unfolded and set up two camp cots. She placed two thick sleeping bags on top of each. Outside, Andrew carefully set up a two burner propane gas stove.
By contrast, Robert set up his steel over-the-fire cooking grill. His head shook often as he glanced at Andrew's elaborate set up.
Robin called out, "Dad, I'm going for more firewood and kindling."
"Good idea. I used up a bunch starting the fire," said Robert.
"Don't worry, I'll stay within shouting distance."
Coming out of her tent, Anna heard Robin's plan. "I'll go with you, Robin. I need to stretch my legs. Go ahead and I'll catch up."
Robert said softly to Anna. "Going to have that mother daughter talk?"
"That's why I agreed to this trip. A chance to talk to Robin. Just the two of us," replied Anna.
"She can be stubborn."
"So can I," said Anna. "I want that connection we used to have. It's not quite there. I miss my daughter. I have to start somewhere, sometime. I want her to open up a little. Is that wrong?"
"No but tread carefully," said Robert. "I don't want to lose her in a fit of temper."
"I'd like to see some fireworks from her. We both know that there's something not quite right with her. No one can go through what she's gone through and not rage about it for days and days. The shock has worn off. She's rested. Where's the reaction?"
"She's always internalized conflict, Anna. That's how she copes," said Robert. "She was strong enough to survive this long."
"She doesn't have to survive anymore. She can let go but she won't. She's wound up so tight, Robert. Don't you see?"
"Why can't you give her more time?"
"More time for her to keep her distance you mean. She lets us in but only to a point," said Anna. "I won't accept that and neither should you. You can't or won't push her so I have to."
Robert sighed bowing to the inevitable. Anna was set on a course and woe betide anyone who tries to change that course. "Fine. I'll take care of hearth and home while you go off into the wild. Got your gun with you?"
"Ankle holster." Anna looked down at the grill. Flames sprouted between the strips of steel. "Do you have food to cook?"
Robert scoffed. "Do I have food? What kind of question is that?"
"Just checking," said Anna with a grin. "We have plenty."
"Well, I want REAL food. It tastes better than that pureed, dehydrated, freeze-dried muck that Andrew favors."
Anna laughed out loud before walking briskly in the direction that Robin had taken. She headed for a small stand of trees.
Robert rose to his feet and looked contentedly at his heating grill. At that moment, he spied Andrew also surveying his stove. Like opposing gunfighters, their eyes met.
"It's getting late. Going to cobble together a meal, son?"
Andrew nodded. "At least three courses. You?"
"Something hearty, nutritious and utterly delicious. You're going to be drooling when you hear it sizzling over the fire and the aroma fills the camp."
"And attracting unwanted furry visitors I'm sure," said Andrew. "I've opted for variety and ending with a mouthwatering dessert."
"That all you got?" asked Robert.
They stared down each other for a minute as if daring the other to make a move. Andrew twitched first. They simultaneously sprang for the horses and whatever supplies had yet to be revealed.
Anna took a deep breath as she got closer to Robin. She slung an arm across her daughter's shoulder. Robin leaned closer into Anna. Mother and daughter seemed to sigh at the same time.
Robin spoke first. "Do you think those two should be left alone, Mom?"
"I know. They can get so competitive sometimes."
Robin chuckled. "Andrew does bring out the little boy in Dad."
"You noticed that?"
"In Dad's case it's partly jealousy. He doesn't like sharing your affections even with his own son."
Anna burst out laughing. "You think that's it?"
"And Andrew so much wants to prove he can be like Dad. Someone in control and decisive. It's hilarious when he panics," said Robin. "You should have seen him trying to barricade the stairway before Dad could go upstairs and find out you were in the attic. When he's around you though, Andrew's like a puppy. A really young puppy."
"You turned your father to mush the minute you met. He loves that particular lifetime condition," said Anna. "And your brother has the same effect on me."
"Well, he's starved for maternal affection and you have a lot of time to catch up to. It's natural and only right."
"I'm glad you see it that way but it's more than that," said Anna. Her voice softened. "Andrew lets me mother him and I do so quite shamelessly. I wish you'd let me do the same to you." She felt Robin flinch but she continued despite how uncomfortable both of them were becoming. Anna stopped as did Robin who was looking off into the distance. Anna studied her daughter's profile. "We're both strong-willed and opinionated and I adore you for that. We had our rows but we always talked, too. I miss that. Things are different between you and me. We both know that there's an emotional distance. I desperately want to be close like we were before. But if you don't want the same thing then I will have to learn to accept that." Anna reached out and gently touched Robin's cheek. "Can you think about that while we're out here?"
Robin breathed in deeply a few times before turning to face Anna. "It's a cliche to say that the problem is me and not you but it's true."
Anna refrained from saying anything. She stroked Robin's shortened hair. Robin seemed like an entirely different person with her shorn locks. In a way, Anna realized, her daughter was a stranger to her.
Robin searched her mother's eyes then looked away. "The only way for me to … cope with my situation was to distance myself from everything and everyone but mostly from you and Dad. To function, I would … would pretend that you were characters in a book and refer to you in the third person or by name. Sometimes, when I caught myself thinking about home, I would force myself to forget what I would be thinking about. Put it in a corner of my mind and forget it was there. It was the only way I could find to keep myself from hurting. Over time, it hurt less and less to think about you and Dad."
"Oh, darling," said Anna biting her lower lip.
"I hurt so much in the beginning that I can't stand remembering those years. When I distance myself, it help me cope. It's automatic now. When I start hurting, the wall goes up," said Robin. Finally, she faced Anna. She ran a hand along Anna's extended arm. "Sometimes, I think I'm in a dream and that when I wake up all of this will go away. If this IS a dream, it'll kill me to know."
Anna shook her head vigorously. The lump in her throat prevented speech but her misty eyes were expression enough.
"Oh, Mom," Robin's voice cracked. "I want the same thing you do. More than you could ever know. I just need time. I'm going to try really hard to open up. I promise."
Anna managed to say, "You have all the time in the world but I don't want you to deal with this by yourself. I want to get to know you a little bit every day."
Robin smiled. "I think that's the best strategy. How do we start?"
"I have no idea. Let's get pick up sticks and firewood while we think, hmm?" suggested Anna. "Just say out loud what you're thinking right this minute."
"It's not very nice. My head that is."
"I wouldn't turn away whatever you say."
Robin was silent for a moment then the words poured out of her. "In my head, you're still the Mom I had as a teenager. We didn't have time to know each after you came back. From then to now, you've changed so much while I … I haven't. Dad has changed. Andrew is amazing and funny. The world has changed. Me? I'm the hamster running and running on the wheel but never getting anywhere. I turn on the television and nothing makes sense. I don't fit, Mom. I just don't."
"And this is why you want to go off somewhere and live in anonymity?" asked Anna. "Hiding from the world is your solution?"
"Maybe," said Robin. "It's a good thing I'm here. It's quiet. Not so much outside world noise. I can think a little bit."
"Staying here is an option, Robin."
"That only buy me time. I have … have other bigger problems." Robin gasped. "I can't deal with this now. I can't. I'm sorry." She stalked away.
Anna hesitated to rush after her. She watched Robin pick up some wood. At that moment, she didn't see her daughter. She saw a woman hurting and confused who didn't feel any deep connection to the world. Anna knew how that felt. She knew the mindset, too. She began to walk slowly and calmly towards the younger woman. If she was going to help her child, she had to speak to her woman to woman, not mother to child or mother to daughter.
Anna chose her words carefully. "Robin."
Robin kept walking and picking up sticks.
Anna tried again. "Robin, please."
Once more, Robin ignored her.
Anna set her jaw. She walked alongside Robin. "It's easier to avoid thinking about the problems that hurt the most. You think if you ignore them long enough, they'll solve themselves or go away. They don't, Robin. They only get worse. You want to hide instead of living?"
Robin said nothing. Anna waited until Robin reached for a twig then put her boot down hard on the twig.
Robin stood up and glared at Anna. "I tried. You saw me, heard me. I couldn't do it. What do you want from me?"
"I just want to help. I CAN help," said Anna. "All the feelings you've got churning inside of you, I've had the same when I had amnesia."
"I didn't lose my mind. Maybe it would have been better that I had."
"But you lost a connection to your old life just like I did. Except you cut the connection yourself."
"All my emotional scars are self-inflicted wounds? It's all my fault?!" yelled Robin.
"NONE of this this is your fault. That is a fact," said Anna. "But because you did do it to yourself, it hurts much worse. I see that."
Robin leaned against a thick tree trunk. She wiped at her eyes. "I can't stop the pain, Mom. I thought it would go away once I was out of there but it's still … still festering inside me no matter what I do, what I try to distract myself with."
"What have you tried to do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Robin. "I've kept up a positive attitude when I feel like crap inside. I agreed to Charlotte's terms because I thought it would mean I was quits with her and Peter. Like I could shove them away and never think of them again. I try to behave the way you and Daddy would want me to, expect me to. I've tried to use Vincent for the wrong reasons. I use sarcasm as a sword and shield. To survive, I became someone else. Someone I don't even like. And now I don't know who or what I am anymore."
Anna was shaken. Her own heart ached seeing her child falling apart before her eyes. "Robin, the only way for the pain to go away is to … to deal with the problems."
"I know that, Mom. I do. I'm trying."
"But alone. You don't have to and you shouldn't." Anna gave in to impulse and embraced Robin. She held on tight as Robin began to sob. "I will not let you go through this alone."
"I hurt everywhere," Robin whispered. "The world's gone on without me. I'm the speck in the rear view mirror, Mom. That's all I'll ever be. Eve had a full education, a career, a marriage and a child. Worse, she had time with you, Dad, Uncle Mac and Maxie that I'll NEVER have."
"Let me tell you who you are. You are Robin Soltini Devane Scorpio, my daughter, my lovechild, my heart, the apple of her Daddy's eye forevermore and the strongest, most clever and determined person I know," said Anna hoarsely. She smoothed Robin hair. "No matter what that is who you are. Never forget that."
"Oh, Mom, she's lost, gone," said Robin.
"Is she? Well, we'll just have to get her back. Piece by piece if necessary," said Anna.
"How?"
"The same way that Alex got me back. With a lot of pushing and prodding. It won't be pleasant and you are going to have ME in your business and in your face all the time," said Anna. "You may want to kill me when it's all over."
Robin smiled weakly. "I need my Luv."
Anna wiped away Robin's tears. "Luv's Special Robin treatment starts right now. Ready?"
"This is going to hurt."
"Later. For now, let's start with something easy. We've had so much melodrama already," said Anna. "Ask me something silly."
"Like what? My mind is taffy right now."
Anna had to lift Robin's spirits. She recalled an old intelligence trick to stimulate conversation. She changed the wording but it was essentially the same. "Look at me. Pick some feature. Ask a question about it."
After a moment of observation, Robin said, "Your hair."
"I shortened it like you did yours."
"When did you color it?"
Anna crinkled her nose. "You don't like the color?"
"I'm used to it being darker and longer. It's a little jarring but it's growing on me," admitted Robin. "Why did you lighten it? When?"
"Promise me that you will NOT tell your father. His ego needs no help."
"Okay, I promise." Robin stooped and began to pick up some broken tree limbs and branches.
"In 2006, your father landed back in our lives, mine and your double Eve's life. We, uh, met up in Monaco shortly after the island misadventure. By that point, we had decided to stay friendly yet lead entirely separate lives," said Anna. "After we parted, something came over me. I suppose I wanted to really put the past behind me where your father was concerned. I'd compare every man I met to him. I was having a terrible time of it. After my hair changed, I felt freer than I'd felt in a long time. I traveled. I dated … younger men. Please don't call me that name."
"What name?"
"Cougar. That's what they label women who go out with younger men," said Anna with a hint of a blush. "I didn't date THAT many. And I even went to rock concerts."
"As in rock and roll and bad boy band members?" asked Robin wide-eyed. "You?"
"Like I said something came over me. The female version of a mid-life crisis I guess," said Anna hugely embarrassed but gamely continuing with her story. "One day while I was having my hair done, I decided to throw caution to the wind and had my hair chopped and colored. It took hours and I kept debating whether I had made the right decision or not."
"And did you?"
Anna balanced some long twigs in her arms. "I did. I looked at myself afterwards and it was like seeing a different person. My hair was a LOT lighter then. This is dark compared to what it was."
"Wow," said Robin. "So what you did was the same thing I did with the distance thing."
Anna nodded. "I learned to cope with having Robert in my life but not in the same way."
"It seems like the same to me, Mom, between you and Dad, I mean."
"Well, sure, now," said Anna. "We put each other through a lot though. I have my fingers crossed that this time is it. But, even if it isn't, we do have all our children in our life and that makes up for nearly everything."
Robin pondered this latest revelation as she openly stared at her mother.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Anna.
"Did you ever go blond or red?"
The question was so unexpected that Anna stumbled. "I wore a redhead wig on a mission once. You were really young. And, your father wore this bushy mustache that kept moving on his face."
"When was this?" asked Robin.
"I wanted to be authentic and fit in with the Mount Rushmore tourists so I dolled myself up in the wig, shorts and scarlet Western boots," said Anna. "My bra strap would slide down my arm all the time. The wig was hot. The boots were agony!"
Robin bent double with laughter at the mental image.
"However, nothing was as bad as your father's American accent. In a John Wayne pose and accent, he'd say, 'Howdy, mate.'"
Their laughter became uncontrollable.
Robert and Andrew looked up from their manual labors as the sounds of feminine laughter came ever closer to camp. The male half of the Scorpio family looked far worse than the ladies. Their shirts clung to their bodies wet with sweat. Their hair was all mussed and untidy as if they had run their fingers through them repeatedly. Andrew's stove could barely be seen within a cloud of smoke and steam. Robert's fire was twice as high and hot as before.
Anna took in her boys' general appearance and said, "I see you've both been working hard."
"Just in time for dinner," said Robert as he swiped his forearm across his forehead.
Andrew gestured at the folding metal picnic table with attached benches that he had assembled by his stove. He said to his father, "You and Robin are welcome to sit with Mum and I at our table."
Robert speared a thick, juicy steak from the grill and turned it over. It sizzled. "We're all set here." By here he meant the picnic blanket he'd spread out over the ground with a few flat pillows and an extra blanket for added comfort.
He rummaged in his knapsack and took out a bulky package which he placed by the fire. He said, "The perfect finisher." He smirked. "The boy will be eating his heart out."
Andrew examined that his picnic table was suitably laid out. It was albeit with a rustic touch. There were metal dishes with accompanying silverware on top of bamboo place mats. Cloth napkins folded into swan-like shapes added an elegant touch. Over on the stove, plumes of steam escaped from under the lids of two covered pans. He had kept the contents of the pans hidden mightily resisting the urge to respond in kind when his father had started cooking his slabs of steak. Andrew patiently sliced a lemon and placed a thick slice on the lip of two metal cups which he then filled with water.
The ladies dumped their armfuls of wood and approached their camps.
"I hope you're hungry," said Robert to Robin.
Robin's stomach growled. They laughed.
Robert picked up a pot where he'd cooked wild rice and scooped out portions on to his and Robin's plates. Then, he placed a steak each next to the rice.
Anna sat down and surveyed the table. "Everything looks lovely, Andrew."
Andrew lifted a pot from the stove and placed portions of green bean almondine on their plates. Afterwards, he uncovered the other pot revealing beef stroganoff with mushroom which he duly apportioned.
"I'm impressed. I didn't expect this largesse."
"Just because we're in the wild does not mean we have to be uncivilized. Don't you agree, Mum?" asked Andrew pitching his voice loud enough to carry.
"Absolutely," agreed Anna.
"The theory behind camping is to LEAVE home and hearth behind you," said Robert. "It's hardly sporting to bring everything but the kitchen sink with you."
"Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there an accompanying theory that when in the wild one eats what one catches?" asked Andrew. "Bringing steaks from home is skirting the rules."
"I am simply prepared for every contingency like an emergency on day one. Besides, I'm not risking your sister's health on her first country outing."
"This is ridiculous! Stop it, you two!" declared Anna. "Robert, Robin, come over here so we can eat as a family."
"I refuse to sleep in that oversized palace," said Robert.
"I said eat not sleep. You can sleep wherever you want but we ARE eating as a family." Anna tapped her nails impatiently on the table. Robert didn't move. "You can eat what you have. Just sit with us. Please."
Robin eagerly joined the big table. Several minutes passed before Robert got to his feet and walked to the table. He took a seat next to Anna. Robin said grace and they began to eat and talk. As Andrew began to prepare the mixture for chocolate cheesecake, Robert went to his grill.
"Before I forget I better start my side dish," said Robert. He quickly unwrapped the mysterious bundle he'd set aside before.
"What is it, Dad?" asked Robin.
"Pre-cooked garlic bread cheese pizza. All I have to do is warm it up."
A short time later, Robin saw the longing glances that Andrew was giving her pizza slices. His cheesecake lay forgotten. She said, "I'll trade you mine for yours."
"Deal!" said Andrew. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," replied Robin taking a bite of the cheesecake. "This is so good!"
"Wait a minute!" cried out Robert. "That's not fair."
"I'm not aware of a no trade clause," said Anna. "Let the kids eat what they want. You know Andrew lives for pizza."
"But, Anna, that's -" Robert began to speak but halted when he felt Anna run a possessive hand along the top of his thigh.
"I'm so happy when we all get along. You know how I get when I'm happy."
Robert cleared his throat. "I aim to please."
"Robin said something about watching the stars," said Anna. "That's something WE haven't done while NOT being on the run."
Robert heard the emphasis on 'we'. Her wording sent his mind to puzzling out Anna's true meaning. He was beginning to go cross-eyed at the possible scenarios. He checked that Robin and Andrew were lost in conversation before he leaned close to Anna and whispered, "You don't mean what I think you mean, do you?"
She whispered back, "You're not the only one with fantasies."
"But the kids and the tents …" said Robert.
"The kids have to sleep sometime." Anna dropped her napkin. "Oops!" She and Robert both dropped under the table to fetch the errant napkin. Anna said very softly, "You, me, two blankets and the stars. Who needs a tent?"
Donely Penthouse
It was nearly eleven in the evening. Their guests had left after a delicious and enjoyable dinner. Dressed for bed, Tiffany tapped Sean on the shoulder as he sat watching the late news from the couch.
"Honey, I've made up the guest room for you," said Tiffany.
"Whoa, Nelly. What guest room?"
"Your decision needs all of your concentration. I don't want to distract you in any way."
"You are NEVER a distraction. You're the center of my universe, baby," said Sean in his most persuasive and suave manner. He stood up and reached for his wife.
"No kisses until you decide."
"I have decided to spend time with my wife."
"Sean! You are NOT taking this seriously at all. You NEED to make a decision. Pick up is only a few hours away," said Tiffany. She kissed him chastely on the cheek and walked off. "See you in the morning!"
"Sean sat back on the couch and pondered his problem - all six of them. He was nowhere near a decision. It was going to be a long night. "Robert, you owe me big time, old buddy. Wherever you are, you better be suffering as much as I am."