peekaboo with the parting clouds. The surf rose and
fell against the dark sand, resembling a giant wet hand
reaching out of the ocean, crawling out onto the sand.
Night was our respite, the time to put aside the trials
and torments of the day, to rest our weary bones and
stuff our troubled thoughts into dark corners and then
welcome sleep like a long-cherished friend.
I closed my eyes and prayed and waited for the
surprise of morning.
The next day, Daddy and Cary went to work
right after breakfast and were gone almost all day.
They were just coming home when Robert pulled in to
pick me up for our date. Both Daddy and Cary knew I
was going to Robert's for dinner, but not even Cary
knew that Robert's parents had left for Boston and
wouldn't be home until late the next day.
With all the trouble circling our lives recently, I
was eager to leave our gloomy house. I felt guilty
about not telling Daddy and Mommy that Robert's
parents wouldn't be there, but I knew if I did, Daddy
would scowl and say he didn't think it would be
proper.
Instead I waved good-bye to the both of them
and got into Robert's car.
"You all right?" he asked.
I forced a small smile, took a deep breath, and
nodded. "Yes, fine," I said.
Robert squeezed my hand gently and then
backed out of the driveway. A moment later, we were
headed toward the inn and our romantic evening. The