Tory Richards's Blog, page 201
November 11, 2011
Bottle of Wine
A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning; it's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them is hurt. God works in mysterious ways.
After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.
The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'
Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'
The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune. She hands the bottle to the man.
The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.
The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'
The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'
MORAL OF THE STORY: Women are clever, evil bitches. Don't mess with us.
After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.
The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'
Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'
The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune. She hands the bottle to the man.
The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.
The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'
The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'
MORAL OF THE STORY: Women are clever, evil bitches. Don't mess with us.
Bottle of Wine
A woman and a man are involved in a car accident on a snowy, cold Monday morning; it's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished, but amazingly neither of them is hurt. God works in mysterious ways.
After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.
The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'
Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'
The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune. She hands the bottle to the man.
The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.
The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'
The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'
MORAL OF THE STORY: Women are clever, evil bitches. Don't mess with us.
After they crawl out of their cars, the man is yelling about women drivers.
The woman says, 'So, you're a man. That's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left, but we're unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should be friends and live in peace for the rest of our days.'
Flattered, the man replies, 'Oh yes, I agree completely, this must be a sign from God! But you're still at fault...women shouldn't be allowed to drive.'
The woman continues, 'And look at this, here's another miracle. My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune. She hands the bottle to the man.
The man nods his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman.The woman takes the bottle, puts the cap back on and hands it back to the man.
The man asks, 'Aren't you having any?'
The woman replies, 'No. I think I'll just wait for the police...'
MORAL OF THE STORY: Women are clever, evil bitches. Don't mess with us.
November 9, 2011
Please Welcome Author Rebecca Royce
As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.
Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.
She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.
http://www.rebeccaroyce.com/
http://www.rebeccaroyce.blogspot.com/
As Rebecca's hostess today I had a few questions for her.
How did you come up with the title Love Beyond Sanity?
Every book in the Outsider series will start with the words Love Beyond. The first book, Love Beyond Time, was titled because that was Isabelle's particular power and because their love had sustained over time and distance.
For each title, I tried to come up a reason that the last word would be present in the title. Love Beyond Sanity refers to two things. Number one, Charma's particular talent is healing the emotional burdens of people with mental health issues. She gets into their heads and removes their burdens. The problem? She carries part of their pain with her and begins to question her own mental health. Jason doesn't know he's an Outsider so he assumes his 'delusions' are just that: delusions. Being a man used to logical deduction, he simply decides to stop having them, which is how he ends up abandoning Charma at the beginning of the story. She assumes he is long dead. Thus, Sanity seemed to be the most logical title. I think of each of the books by the last word in their title.
Time
Sanity
Loyalty
Sight
…..
Name five things in your bucket list.
They all involve travel.
Italy, Greece, China, Australia, and St. Lucia to name a few.
What's your guilty pleasure?
The Kardashians
What's the hardest thing you've ever had to overcome?
I'm dyslexic. I don't know that I've overcome it but I've learned to compensate for it. I think that's been pretty tough.
If you could bring back one person who's passed away, anyone, who would it be and what would you ask them? It doesn't have to be anyone you knew.
I miss my father-in-law. I'd like to bring him back just to say hello.
What's your favorite animal and why?
Siamese Cats. I grew up with them. I love them.
Who's your hero?
My Mom. I think she's just a great lady.
What's the one thing you do to pamper yourself?Hot baths and red wine.
What's your favorite movie of all time and why?
The Usual Suspects. I just think its so perfectly done.
If there's one thing you could do over again, differently, what would that be?
Um. How do I pick just one??
Blurb - Eighteen years earlier, Charma lost her destined soul mate. Convinced he must be dead, she kept her fears to herself so as not to destroy the morale of the Outsiders who already live with a shaky prophecy as their only guide.
Dr. Jason Randall is a man used to getting what he wants. There has never been a problem he couldn't out think or a situation he wasn't capable of handling.
Now they are both hunted by not one but two demons as they lead the slowly forming group of Outsiders out of the darkness and back into the light. The two strong souls will have to decide if prophecy alone is enough reason to stay together through insane odds...or if love is their true fate.
Excerpt - No, she was not nuts. He was here. The nameless man—she'd never learned his name—who had been made for her, chosen for her in heaven was in this room. And, she had felt him die. Felt it the night he hadn't come to their secret garden. It had been like someone had taken a sledge hammer and demolished half of her body and soul with one hit. She'd known he was dead.
Alone. That was how she'd felt. With other people's problems filling her days, nights, and dreams.
Until now.
Had he been this way since he'd disappeared when he was twelve? Charma's eyes roamed his body for signs. Impossible. He looked too healthy. Muscle tone defined his body. He didn't look like a man who had been endlessly asleep on a bed. His eyes fluttered as if he was in deep REM sleep.
She cleared her throat, afraid to wake him but wanting to at the same time. "Hello."
Nothing. Charma's cheeks warmed. Why had she assumed he'd respond to her? He was in a coma for goodness sake. She was going to have to do more than speak aloud to get his attention.
I live in Florida!
AMY S gave the correct answer first (Alaska) and is the winner! Congratulations! I'll be in touch with regard to your egift certificate.
I saw a state license plate while driving I-4 yesterday, and did a double take. First one who guesses from where correctly wins a $10.00 egift certificate to All Romance eBooks! November 12th at 12 noon my time is the last date I'm accepting answers. Good luck!
I saw a state license plate while driving I-4 yesterday, and did a double take. First one who guesses from where correctly wins a $10.00 egift certificate to All Romance eBooks! November 12th at 12 noon my time is the last date I'm accepting answers. Good luck!
I live in Florida!
I saw a state license plate while driving I-4 yesterday, and did a double take. First one who guesses from where correctly wins a $10.00 egift certificate to All Romance eBooks! November 12th at 12 noon my time is the last date I'm accepting answers. Good luck!
November 8, 2011
Blog Hop and Prizes
ALL 37 OF YOU WERE CORRECT IN YOUR RESPONSES TO MY QUESTION. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT:
TORY.RICHARDS@YAHOO.COM
TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE
Two hundred and nine (209) blogs to follow and two hundred and nine (209) giveaways to be had! The link below will take you to the page where the list of blog urls are located! Each blog will have their own giveaway and how to enter into it. Mine is below.
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/november-giveaway-hop_08.html
Name the first book I wrote and had published under my pen name, Tory Richards. Everyone who guesses correctly will receive a free download!
ALL BOOKS ARE LISTED ON MY BOOKS PAGE LINK ABOVE!
Two hundred and nine (209) blogs to follow and two hundred and nine (209) giveaways to be had! The link below will take you to the page where the list of blog urls are located! Each blog will have their own giveaway and how to enter into it. Mine is below. http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/november-giveaway-hop_08.html
Name the first book I wrote and had published under my pen name, Tory Richards. Everyone who guesses correctly will receive a free download!
ALL BOOKS ARE LISTED ON MY BOOKS PAGE LINK ABOVE!
Blog Hop and Prizes
Two hundred and nine (209) blogs to follow and two hundred and nine (209) giveaways to be had! The link below will take you to the page where the list of blog urls are located! Each blog will have their own giveaway and how to enter into it. Mine is below. http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/november-giveaway-hop_08.html
Name the first book I wrote and had published under my pen name, Tory Richards. Everyone who guesses correctly will receive a free download!
ALL BOOKS ARE LISTED ON MY BOOKS PAGE LINK ABOVE!
not ready to post yet for 11/8
http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/2011/10/november-giveaway-hop_08.html
As you prepare your giveaway post please remember the following:
The November Giveaway Hop Images needs to be part of your post.
2. Include the linky list with all the participating blogs at the end of your post OR link to this giveaway hop page or the post on Tristi's Site.
3. Keep It Simple!! Keep the way to enter your giveaway as simple as possible. 1 Mandatory entry and no more than 2 optional extra entries. All entries must be able to be done on one visit to your blog - Entries such as tweet once a day are NOT allowed (tweeting once is fine).
4. This must be a giveaway specifically for this hop and must run only the 4 days this hop is scheduled.
6. Keep your giveaway easy to find for the 4 days this hop is open. If you post often and your post does not stay near the top of your main blog page then please post a link to your giveaway at the top of your blog or sidebar. If we can't easily find your giveaway you will be deleted from the linky.
As you prepare your giveaway post please remember the following:
The November Giveaway Hop Images needs to be part of your post.
2. Include the linky list with all the participating blogs at the end of your post OR link to this giveaway hop page or the post on Tristi's Site.
3. Keep It Simple!! Keep the way to enter your giveaway as simple as possible. 1 Mandatory entry and no more than 2 optional extra entries. All entries must be able to be done on one visit to your blog - Entries such as tweet once a day are NOT allowed (tweeting once is fine).
4. This must be a giveaway specifically for this hop and must run only the 4 days this hop is scheduled.
6. Keep your giveaway easy to find for the 4 days this hop is open. If you post often and your post does not stay near the top of your main blog page then please post a link to your giveaway at the top of your blog or sidebar. If we can't easily find your giveaway you will be deleted from the linky.
November 7, 2011
Monday Man Candy
Yum! Now this is the beginning of a perfect Monday! 
November 6, 2011
Please Welcome Author Shea McMaster!
I recently asked Shea to write a post on how to break writer's block and here's what she had to say.
How to Break Writer's Block
A hammer usually works.
The kind of hammers I use are a bit different than what you find in the hardware section of the local store. In some ways these hammers are soft. Others are very blunt, a few are rapier sharp. Some hit harder than others. Some have curly hair, some straight. What am I talking about? My critique partners. My girls. Posse. Actually, we have another name for ourselves, but it doesn't pass the PG-13 rating system. Nor do many of our discussions.
We sit down to lunch on a semi-regular basis and talk about our writing. If someone needs help breaking a block, the technique of choice is brainstorming, and that's when the hammers come out. In our group everyone knows to keep an open mind and let the suggestions roll. Sometimes, when things are going well, the meeting carries over to a coffee house where we sit and talk, often until closing time. Since many of us do hand crafts at the same time, we also call it Knit and Crit. Or Second Tuesday where we discuss matters of craft. Writing craft.
Sound simple? Sound fun and effective? Actually, it's terrifying when you're the focus.
And as tough as being the focus can be, I've had great breakthroughs when things click. What it boils down to is concentrated brainstorming. Tossing out ideas, exploring options, accepting, rejecting or laughing over the suggestions has a way of blasting through whatever is holding back the flow. Especially when someone suggests all your story needs is a succubus or incubus. Like that works in most situations. Might as well throw in a zombie or two and you have a whole new storyline.
Even harder to bear, but in many ways more fulfilling, is moving out of the coffee shops and taking a road trip with two writer friends critiquing your ears off. Especially a trip of five hours. One way. If you're the driver, you can't go to sleep and tune your partners out. There is always the option of leaving them at the next gas station, but seriously, it's not my style. And there are few gas stations along the Alaskan highways, especially in late November when there's snow and ice on the ground. (Besides, once at our destination I got to take pictures of them while they drank tequila in a bar with local fishermen. It was worth the trip. One had a naughty tiara on her head.)
A road trip is particularly effective for brainstorming when people are jazzed and feeling creative. In fact, I have a specific example. I have one science fiction/futuristic story I've started five times. Five. It still has weak spots, but somewhere along that long road trip, two friends did help me find the perfect beginning. Somewhere in the dump is a paper placemat with the suggestions written in orange crayon when we stopped for lunch. Should have kept that placemat. Fortunately I have a pretty good memory.
The problem with brainstorming with hammers is the intensity. It can come close to feeling like an intervention. Or a lynching, with you as the lynchee. The only thing you can do is open your mind and consider the scenarios being tossed (hurled) at you.
On the flip side, one must return the brainstorming favor. Polite society says we must share the limelight from time to time, so you can't always be the prima donna, although you really do deserve the attention. You have to give back, which oddly enough, will help kick loose even more ideas for your own writing. Amazing!
The give and take of a good critique group is what helped mold me as a writer. And continues to mold me. In fact, I'm a lovely shade of green. Almost ready for my zombie debut.
Okay, enough joking. Recently I had the very fortunate experience of once more having the attention of two writers and, while knitting and crocheting, they helped me finalize a few plot twists of my latest WIP. It was exhilarating. They know my writing well enough they were able to challenge me to write a different kind of heroine. Darn them. I like my heroines, but I suppose they have to have more variations than hair and eye color.
So, if you don't yet belong to a group of writers with hammers, what can you do? Stay tuned to the tour to find out!
In the meantime, I'd love to hear some of the block breaking strategies that work for you. Post them in the comments.
Thank you so much for having me!
Shea McMaster
Traditional Romance for Modern Women
Rachel Dahlrumple
A Novel of Romantic Suspense.
Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.
Website: http://sheamcmaster.com
FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shea-McMaster/240251469328338
Also Available From Shea
Borealis II: A Space Anthology – Bleu Lies ~ebook
Six Foot Hero ~ebook
Author Bio:
The softer, sweeter side of Morgan O'Reilly, Shea McMaster lives for traditional romance.
Born in New Orleans, raised in California, Shea/Morgan got moved to Alaska in 1977, where she attended high school before running back to California for college. Alas, once back home she met and fell in love with her own forever true hero, a born and raised Alaska man. Since then she's had a love-hate relationship with America's largest state.
With her one and only son half way through college, and mostly out of the house, Shea is fortunate to spend her days engaged in daydreaming and turning those dreams into romantic novels and novellas featuring damsels in distress rescued by their own brains and hunky heroes.
shea@sheamcmaster.com
http://sheamcmaster.com /
http://morganqoreilly.com
http://themorgandiaries.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shea-McMaster/240251469328338
Buy Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=472
BLURB:
Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.
Rachel's humiliation over the discovery of her late husband's affairs turns to fear when one of his mistresses sends her a poisoned bouquet. But finding the source of the killer flowers is only one step on her path to solving the mystery her husband left behind.
Deputy Dan Weston is with Rachel when the bouquet arrives, and he's at her side as she deals with so many of the secrets that come to light after her husband's death. Dan has carried a torch for Rachel since puberty and he's not going to let her dead husband's vindictive girlfriends or his psychotic mother come between them now. But that means finding out who is sending snakes and poisoned posies before one kills Rachel.
Excerpt
Deputy Dan inhaled and cleared his throat. "Rachel… Your husband…Burt is… dead."
"Oh." Staring at Dan, I blinked. I sensed more than heard Cyndi speaking, as her hands clutched mine. I couldn't hear over the bells of Notre Dame roaring in my ears, as if I stood in the belfry with a dozen different bells of all sizes swinging chaotically. No tune, just great ponderous, vibrating booms and spastic little tinkles filling in the spaces. I almost put my hands over my ears to block out the sound, only nothing could ever be loud enough to drown out just one thought.
Burt's dead.
Burt. Dead.
Damn. I didn't get to kick his ass out. I'd've killed him for that if I could.
Wait. He was already dead.
Dead.Okay.
I inhaled deeply as I searched for something to say. "Well then, there are plans to adjust…"
"Rachel, you need to know…to understand…" Pity filled Dan's eyes. Cyndi shoved a tissue wad into my hand, then used another to dab at her eyes.
"I understand," I said. "He's not coming home. I get it. That's fine. The party can still go on. It's not like he does much to help out."
How to Break Writer's Block
A hammer usually works.
The kind of hammers I use are a bit different than what you find in the hardware section of the local store. In some ways these hammers are soft. Others are very blunt, a few are rapier sharp. Some hit harder than others. Some have curly hair, some straight. What am I talking about? My critique partners. My girls. Posse. Actually, we have another name for ourselves, but it doesn't pass the PG-13 rating system. Nor do many of our discussions.
We sit down to lunch on a semi-regular basis and talk about our writing. If someone needs help breaking a block, the technique of choice is brainstorming, and that's when the hammers come out. In our group everyone knows to keep an open mind and let the suggestions roll. Sometimes, when things are going well, the meeting carries over to a coffee house where we sit and talk, often until closing time. Since many of us do hand crafts at the same time, we also call it Knit and Crit. Or Second Tuesday where we discuss matters of craft. Writing craft.
Sound simple? Sound fun and effective? Actually, it's terrifying when you're the focus.
And as tough as being the focus can be, I've had great breakthroughs when things click. What it boils down to is concentrated brainstorming. Tossing out ideas, exploring options, accepting, rejecting or laughing over the suggestions has a way of blasting through whatever is holding back the flow. Especially when someone suggests all your story needs is a succubus or incubus. Like that works in most situations. Might as well throw in a zombie or two and you have a whole new storyline.
Even harder to bear, but in many ways more fulfilling, is moving out of the coffee shops and taking a road trip with two writer friends critiquing your ears off. Especially a trip of five hours. One way. If you're the driver, you can't go to sleep and tune your partners out. There is always the option of leaving them at the next gas station, but seriously, it's not my style. And there are few gas stations along the Alaskan highways, especially in late November when there's snow and ice on the ground. (Besides, once at our destination I got to take pictures of them while they drank tequila in a bar with local fishermen. It was worth the trip. One had a naughty tiara on her head.)
A road trip is particularly effective for brainstorming when people are jazzed and feeling creative. In fact, I have a specific example. I have one science fiction/futuristic story I've started five times. Five. It still has weak spots, but somewhere along that long road trip, two friends did help me find the perfect beginning. Somewhere in the dump is a paper placemat with the suggestions written in orange crayon when we stopped for lunch. Should have kept that placemat. Fortunately I have a pretty good memory.
The problem with brainstorming with hammers is the intensity. It can come close to feeling like an intervention. Or a lynching, with you as the lynchee. The only thing you can do is open your mind and consider the scenarios being tossed (hurled) at you.
On the flip side, one must return the brainstorming favor. Polite society says we must share the limelight from time to time, so you can't always be the prima donna, although you really do deserve the attention. You have to give back, which oddly enough, will help kick loose even more ideas for your own writing. Amazing!
The give and take of a good critique group is what helped mold me as a writer. And continues to mold me. In fact, I'm a lovely shade of green. Almost ready for my zombie debut.
Okay, enough joking. Recently I had the very fortunate experience of once more having the attention of two writers and, while knitting and crocheting, they helped me finalize a few plot twists of my latest WIP. It was exhilarating. They know my writing well enough they were able to challenge me to write a different kind of heroine. Darn them. I like my heroines, but I suppose they have to have more variations than hair and eye color.
So, if you don't yet belong to a group of writers with hammers, what can you do? Stay tuned to the tour to find out!
In the meantime, I'd love to hear some of the block breaking strategies that work for you. Post them in the comments.
Thank you so much for having me!
Shea McMaster
Traditional Romance for Modern Women
Rachel Dahlrumple
A Novel of Romantic Suspense.
Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.
Website: http://sheamcmaster.com
FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shea-McMaster/240251469328338
Also Available From Shea
Borealis II: A Space Anthology – Bleu Lies ~ebook
Six Foot Hero ~ebook
Author Bio:
The softer, sweeter side of Morgan O'Reilly, Shea McMaster lives for traditional romance. Born in New Orleans, raised in California, Shea/Morgan got moved to Alaska in 1977, where she attended high school before running back to California for college. Alas, once back home she met and fell in love with her own forever true hero, a born and raised Alaska man. Since then she's had a love-hate relationship with America's largest state.
With her one and only son half way through college, and mostly out of the house, Shea is fortunate to spend her days engaged in daydreaming and turning those dreams into romantic novels and novellas featuring damsels in distress rescued by their own brains and hunky heroes.
shea@sheamcmaster.com
http://sheamcmaster.com /
http://morganqoreilly.com
http://themorgandiaries.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shea-McMaster/240251469328338
Buy Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=472
BLURB:
Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.
Rachel's humiliation over the discovery of her late husband's affairs turns to fear when one of his mistresses sends her a poisoned bouquet. But finding the source of the killer flowers is only one step on her path to solving the mystery her husband left behind.
Deputy Dan Weston is with Rachel when the bouquet arrives, and he's at her side as she deals with so many of the secrets that come to light after her husband's death. Dan has carried a torch for Rachel since puberty and he's not going to let her dead husband's vindictive girlfriends or his psychotic mother come between them now. But that means finding out who is sending snakes and poisoned posies before one kills Rachel.
Excerpt
Deputy Dan inhaled and cleared his throat. "Rachel… Your husband…Burt is… dead."
"Oh." Staring at Dan, I blinked. I sensed more than heard Cyndi speaking, as her hands clutched mine. I couldn't hear over the bells of Notre Dame roaring in my ears, as if I stood in the belfry with a dozen different bells of all sizes swinging chaotically. No tune, just great ponderous, vibrating booms and spastic little tinkles filling in the spaces. I almost put my hands over my ears to block out the sound, only nothing could ever be loud enough to drown out just one thought.
Burt's dead.
Burt. Dead.Damn. I didn't get to kick his ass out. I'd've killed him for that if I could.
Wait. He was already dead.
Dead.Okay.
I inhaled deeply as I searched for something to say. "Well then, there are plans to adjust…"
"Rachel, you need to know…to understand…" Pity filled Dan's eyes. Cyndi shoved a tissue wad into my hand, then used another to dab at her eyes.
"I understand," I said. "He's not coming home. I get it. That's fine. The party can still go on. It's not like he does much to help out."
