25C sunny
Hot day yesterday. Beauty and the Beast tournament at bowls, the men won 5 - 3. Then bbq'd bratwurst, corn on the cob, 2 salads and ice cream. It is so warm now I am going to turn the hot tub down a few degrees.
I finished the book yesterday morning, and am now in the process of proofing it again. Hmm maybe I shouldn't post any more of it and reders can pick it up on Barnes and Noble (e book) or LuLu.com (hard copy). Ahh just kidding, I'll continue to post it to the end. But I should have it published on LuLu in a day or so.

Drink up and I’ll pour you another.”

  

 Chapter 27

When the women got back they whipped up a meal of fried chicken supplemented by oven heated frozen French fries and a large spinach salad.

Bob and Jim moved into the kitchen and the conversation moved on to what had been happening in Irene and Jim’s lives since Bob had been missing.

Later as they ate they talked about random things, Natalie’s school year, provincial politics, the price of gas. They joked and laughed and felt the joy of bonding.

Alicia while enjoying and participating kept having moments or twinges of trepidation that she smothered and showed no outward sign.

Later they moved back to the living room and after a little while Natalie started to nod off to sleep, tired from all the excitement and the continuing adult conversations.

Irene noticing said, “Bob maybe we should go it’s been a long day for her.” She nodded at Natalie.

“No not yet,” Alicia exclaimed, “Let her stay here tonight she can slip into my bed, there’s lots of room.”

Jim looked at Irene, she hesitated for only a second, “Sure that sounds okay. How about it dear, do you want to stay here with Uncle Bob and Alicia?”

Natalie nodded, “Sure that sounds like fun, can I go to bed now?”

In a few minutes she was dressing in a spare pair of Alicia’s pajamas, she came out and said good night to everyone as she went up to Alicia she said, “Is it alright if I call you Aunty Alicia?”

Alicia froze for a second then, “Of course you can, I would be honored.” She couldn’t bring herself to look at Bob.