<div class="floatright">(https://www.mediafire.com/convkey/d80f/21h8ybmnz6cjeh34g.jpg) (http://www.mediafire.com/view/21h8ybmnz6cjeh3/Kimmie.png/file)</div><br/>Chloe begins explaining about wishing and having a positive attitude......Personal assertions....positive expressions to yourself that today is going to be a good day.<br/><br/>Our dessert arrives and it is presented in a way that makes eating it almost a sin.  Its just beautiful to look at!  I take one of the raspberries and delicately nibble it.  The tartness of the raspberry paired with the sweetness of the cheesecake is delightful!  The strong expresso serves as a fitting end to a delicious bite!<br/><br/>Chloe is deep in thought.  She is silent but her mind is working. This much I know of her from just observing.  I wonder if she really sleeps at night or does her mind do some sort of mental filing to sort the days ideas or projects?<br/><br/>We finish the dessert in a blissful, semi-silence.  A few comments here and there but by in large, the five of us just savor the peace of the moment.....<br/><br/>I thank Mr. Dawson for the meal, as he picks up the check for all of us.  He smiles and says it was 'my pleasure, Kimmie'.  We leave the restaurant saying our good-byes to the waitstaff and hostess on the way out.  Chloe goes over to her mother and father and has a word with them.  I look down at myself.  Dressed in the most casual way possible, hair pulled back in a nondescript ponytail.  I've met the family looking as though I just got out of gym class.  So much for first impressions!<br/><br/>Mr. Dawson disappears for a second then returns, handing me a manila envelope.  Its for my employment at "Chloe Rulez"<br/>and Im to fill it out and give it to Chloe who, in turn, will forward it to the proper people to get it on file.   I nod and smile...<em>"Of course, no problem Mr. Dawson"</em><br/><br/>We say our good-byes. From what I hear between Chloe and her parents, we'll be seeing them again briefly, tomorrow.  Im completely fine with that.   I just hope the tension between Circe and Chloe will ebb a bit overnight.  I sense the 'changing of the guard' between them. The daughter is about to go to a leadership role that the mother fears for her.  Unfortunately for Circe, it seems that the die is cast.  There is on going back.<br/><br/>Chloe navigates us back to the condo.  Never has a place been more welcome than this one, right now!  Chloe flops onto the couch as I lock the door behind us.  I smoosh myself onto the couch with her, putting her feet onto my lap.  I take the ponytail out and give my head a shake and run both hands through my hair......ahhhhh the feels good!<br/><br/>“Damn Kimmie! That was an adventure I’d rather have done without! I am so wide away and that’s not the espresso either!”<br/><br/>I rub her calf......I nod and say:<br/><br/><em>"I could not have predicted a day like that ever......"</em>I reflect on all that has happened in just the last 12 hours.  Joel, the hospital, Aunt Becky's, the questions, my future, the danger, Chloe-always my Chloe, the restaurant.....and finally back home.<br/><br/>I look at her, perhaps a sad countenance?  Perhaps concerned?  Perhaps both.....I just dont know what's going to happen next?  I take Chloe's legs off my lap and stretch out next to her, embracing her on the couch.   I feel better now.<br/><br/>