The_AT Perfect_JJ Christmas_NNT1 "_" Who_PNQS mails_VVZ out_RP Christmas_NNT1 cards_NN2 before_II Thanksgiving_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Cassie_NP1 Beaumont_NP1 lamented_VVD to_II her_APPGE best_JJT friend_NN1 ._. 
Angie_NP1 Barber_NP1 looked_VVD up_RP from_II her_APPGE microscope_NN1 and_CC seemed_VVD to_TO take_VVI an_AT1 extra_JJ moment_NN1 to_TO consider_VVI what_DDQ Cassie_NP1 had_VHD just_RR said_VVN ._. 
"_" You_PPY got_VVD a_AT1 Christmas_NNT1 card_NN1 ?_? 
Already_RR ?_? "_" 
Cassie_NP1 wheeled_VVD her_APPGE chair_NN1 back_RP to_II her_APPGE station_NN1 ._. 
"_" Can_VM you_PPY believe_VVI it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Who_PNQS from_II ?_? "_" 
"_" An_AT1 old_JJ college_NN1 friend_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY would_VM n't_XX know_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
Cassie_NP1 shrugged_VVD ._. 
"_" Jill_NP1 married_VVD Tom_NP1 two_MC weeks_NNT2 after_CS we_PPIS2 graduated_VVD ._. "_" 
"_" They_PPHS2 have_VH0 children_NN2 ?_? "_" 
Cassie_NP1 caught_VVD the_AT wisp_NN1 of_IO longing_VVG in_II Angie_NP1 's_GE voice_NN1 and_CC answered_VVN with_IW a_AT1 nod_NN1 ._. 
"_" Two_MC ,_, a_AT1 boy_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 girl_NN1 ,_, and_CC of_RR21 course_RR22 they_PPHS2 're_VBR adorable_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, "_" Angie_NP1 echoed_VVD ._. 
The_AT Christmas_NNT1 card_NN1 photo_NN1 showed_VVD the_AT four_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 in_II matching_JJ outfits_NN2 of_IO green_JJ and_CC red_JJ ._. 
The_AT mother_NN1 and_CC daughter_NN1 wore_VVD full-length_RR green_JJ dresses_NN2 with_IW red-and-green_JJ plaid_NN1 skirts_NN2 ._. 
Father_NN1 and_CC son_NN1 had_VHD on_II three-piece_JJ suits_NN2 with_IW vests_NN2 in_II the_AT same_DA fabric_NN1 as_CSA the_AT dress_NN1 skirts_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ too_RG adorable_JJ for_IF words_NN2 ._. 
"_" There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 letter_NN1 ,_, as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. "_" 
"_" Everything_PN1 in_II their_APPGE lives_NN2 is_VBZ perfect_JJ ,_, right_RR ?_? "_" 
Angie_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" Perfect_VV0 in_II every_AT1 way_NN1 ,_, "_" Cassie_NP1 grumbled_VVD ._. 
The_AT unfairness_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 all_DB was_VBDZ too_RG much_DA1 ._. 
Jill_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS worked_VVD as_II a_AT1 financial_JJ planner_NN1 ,_, held_VVD down_RP a_AT1 forty-hour-a-week_JJ job_NN1 ,_, kept_VVD a_AT1 meticulous_JJ house_NN1 and_CC still_RR managed_VVN to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 terrific_JJ wife_NN1 and_CC mother_NN1 ._. 
Despite_II all_DB the_AT demands_NN2 on_II her_APPGE time_NNT1 ,_, she_PPHS1 'd_VHD mailed_VVN out_RP her_APPGE Christmas_NNT1 cards_NN2 a_AT1 full_JJ month_NNT1 in_II advance_NN1 ._. 
"_" Is_VBZ there_EX a_AT1 reason_NN1 the_AT perfect_JJ Jill_NP1 sent_VVD her_APPGE Christmas_NNT1 cards_NN2 so_RG soon_RR ?_? "_" 
Angie_NP1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" Jill_NP1 and_CC Tom_NP1 just_RR moved_VVN into_II a_AT1 new_JJ home_NN1 and_CC wanted_VVN to_TO update_VVI family_NN1 and_CC friends_NN2 with_IW their_APPGE address_NN1 change_NN1 ._. 
Oh_UH ,_, and_CC there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 photo_NN1 of_IO the_AT house_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ --_JJ "_" "_" Perfect_JJ ,_, "_" Angie_NP1 finished_VVD for_IF her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Perfect_VV0 does_VDZ n't_XX begin_VVI to_TO describe_VVI it_PPH1 ._. "_" 
Angie_NP1 watched_VVD her_PPHO1 closely_RR ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 I_PPIS1 detect_VVI a_AT1 slight_JJ note_NN1 of_IO envy_NN1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" Slight_JJ envy_NN1 ?_? 
Me_PPIO1 ?_? "_" 
Cassie_NP1 asked_VVD ,_, exaggerating_VVG the_AT words_NN2 ._. 
"_" Heavens_NN2 ,_, no_UH ._. 
What_DDQ you_PPY 're_VBR hearing_VVG is_VBZ a_AT1 full-blown_JJ case_NN1 of_IO jealousy_NN1 ._. 
The_AT green-eyed_JJ monster_NN1 is_VBZ alive_JJ and_CC well_JJ ._. "_" 
Cassie_NP1 rolled_VVD her_APPGE chair_NN1 to_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 counter_NN1 filled_VVN with_IW an_AT1 assortment_NN1 of_IO microscopes_NN2 ,_, test_VV0 tubes_NN2 ,_, slides_NN2 and_CC other_JJ equipment_NN1 ,_, then_RT stood_VVD ,_, hands_NN2 propped_VVN on_II her_APPGE hips_NN2 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 you_PPY realize_VVI how_RGQ long_RR it_PPH1 's_VHZ been_VBN since_CS I_PPIS1 've_VH0 been_VBN on_II a_AT1 real_JJ date_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" You_PPY went_VVD out_RP with_IW Greg_NP1 last_MD week_NNT1 ,_, "_" Angie_NP1 reminded_VVD her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Greg_NP1 is_VBZ n't_XX a_AT1 man_NN1 ,_, "_" Cassie_NP1 blurted_VVD out_RP ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, he_PPHS1 is_VBZ ,_, but_CCB not_XX in_II the_AT sense_NN1 of_IO someone_PN1 I_PPIS1 'm_VBM interested_JJ in_II ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Greg_NP1 's_GE ..._... completely_RR unsuitable_JJ as_CSA marriage_NN1 material_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX need_VVI to_TO explain_VVI that_DD1 ,_, at_II thirty-four_MC ,_, the_AT ticking_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE biological_JJ clock_NN1 got_VVD louder_JJR by_II the_AT year_NNT1 ._. 
Angie_NP1 sighed_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 agree_VV0 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ eligible_JJ in_II practically_RR every_AT1 way_NN1 but_CCB he_PPHS1 happened_VVD to_TO be_VBI divorced_VVN and_CC in_II love_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE ex-wife_NN1 ._. 
Unfortunately_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX figured_VVN that_DD1 out_RP yet_RR ._. 
The_AT entire_JJ date_NN1 ,_, if_CS it_PPH1 could_VM even_RR be_VBI called_VVN a_AT1 date_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ spent_VVN rehashing_VVG the_AT tragedy_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE divorce_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 went_VVD on_RP and_CC on_RP about_II how_RGQ much_DA1 he_PPHS1 missed_VVD his_APPGE three_MC kids_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE ex-wife_NN1 ,_, if_CS the_AT number_NN1 of_IO times_NNT2 he_PPHS1 mentioned_VVD her_APPGE name_NN1 was_VBDZ any_DD indication_NN1 ._. 
The_AT night_NNT1 had_VHD been_VBN sheer_JJ drudgery_NN1 for_IF Cassie_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE first_MD and_CC last_MD date_NN1 with_IW Greg_NP1 ._. 
"_" The_AT problem_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, we_PPIS2 do_VD0 n't_XX meet_VVI many_DA2 guys_NN2 here_RL at_II work_NN1 ,_, "_" Angie_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
Cassie_NN1 was_VBDZ well_JJ aware_JJ of_IO that_DD1 ._. 
Since_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR holed_VVN up_RP in_II a_AT1 lab_NN1 eight_MC to_II ten_MC hours_NNT2 a_AT1 day_NNT1 ,_, working_VVG as_CSA biochemists_NN2 for_IF a_AT1 plastics_NN2 company_NN1 ,_, the_AT opportunities_NN2 to_TO socialize_VVI outside_II the_AT job_NN1 were_VBDR limited_VVN ._. 
"_" What_DDQ really_RR hit_VVN home_RL ,_, "_" Cassie_NP1 said_VVD ,_, "_" after_II receiving_VVG that_DD1 Christmas_NNT1 card_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ how_RRQ badly_RR I_PPIS1 want_VV0 a_AT1 family_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE own_DA ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 know_VV0 ._. "_" 
The_AT longing_NN1 was_VBDZ back_RP in_II Angle_NN1 's_GE voice_NN1 ,_, too_RR ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX understand_VVI why_RRQ it_PPH1 's_VBZ so_RG hard_JJ to_TO meet_VVI men_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM reasonably_RR attractive_JJ ,_, right_RR ?_? "_" 
Angie_NP1 nodded_VVD enthusiastically_RR ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ._. "_" 
"_" Thirty-four_MC is_VBZ n't_XX so_RG old_JJ ,_, is_VBZ it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Not_XX really_RR ._. "_" 
Cassie_NP1 shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC wondered_VVD why_RRQ she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ still_RR single_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO be_VBI married_JJ ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 liked_VVD to_TO think_VVI she_PPHS1 had_VHD the_AT full_JJ package_NN1 --_NN1 five-five_MC ,_, dark_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, dark_JJ eyes_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ attractive_JJ ,_, as_CSA Angie_NP1 had_VHD confirmed_VVN ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ smart_JJ ,_, with_IW a_AT1 successful_JJ career_NN1 ,_, an_AT1 engaging_JJ personality_NN1 (_( if_CS she_PPHS1 did_VDD say_VVI so_RR herself_PPX1 )_) and_CC plenty_PN of_IO friends_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 blame_VV0 my_APPGE mother_NN1 for_IF this_DD1 ._. "_" 
"_" Your_APPGE mother_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 blame_VV0 my_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, too_RR ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX stick_VVI around_RP all_DB that_RG long_JJ ._. "_" 
"_" Or_CC maybe_RR because_CS he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX stick_VVI around_RP ._. "_" 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 guess_VV0 ._. 
After_CS the_AT divorce_NN1 ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ so_RR down_RP on_II marriage_NN1 ,_, the_AT whole_JJ idea_NN1 terrified_VVD me_PPIO1 ._. "_" 
"_" But_CCB it_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX anymore_RR ,_, does_VDZ it_PPH1 ?_? "_" 
"_" No_UH ._. 
I_PPIS1 want_VV0 a_AT1 husband_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 'd_VM really_RR like_VVI children_NN2 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 grinned_VVD ._. 
"_" The_AT ironic_JJ thing_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, my_APPGE mother_NN1 's_VBZ remarried_VVN ._. "_" 
"_" Marriage_NN1 seems_VVZ to_TO terrify_VVI your_APPGE brother_NN1 ,_, too_RR ._. 
Shawn_NN1 should_VM be_VBI married_JJ by_RT21 now_RT22 ,_, do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY think_VVI ?_? 
He_PPHS1 's_VBZ older_JJR than_CSN you_PPY are_VBR ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX so_RG sure_JJ about_II Shawn_NP1 ._. "_" 
Cassie_NN1 sometimes_RT wondered_VVD if_CS Angie_NP1 might_VM be_VBI interested_JJ in_II her_APPGE brother_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ actually_RR nothing_PN1 to_TO indicate_VVI that_DD1 ,_, but_CCB every_AT1 once_RR in_II a_AT1 while_NNT1 Cassie_NP1 had_VHD this_DD1 feeling_NN1 --_NN1 "_" He_PPHS1 travels_VVZ so_RG much_DA1 that_CST maintaining_VVG a_AT1 long-term_JJ relationship_NN1 would_VM be_VBI difficult_JJ for_IF him_PPHO1 ._. "_" 
Simon_NP1 says_VVZ :_: If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR the_AT woman_NN1 he_PPHS1 's_VBZ looking_VVG for_IF ,_, I_PPIS1 will_VM find_VVI you_PPY ._. 
Simon_NP1 's_GE gentleness_NN1 consoled_VVD her_PPHO1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 held_VVD her_APPGE close_JJ ._. 
Cassie_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX want_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO ever_RR stop_VVI ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI inclined_JJ to_TO let_VVI her_PPHO1 go_VVI ._. 
Time_NNT1 lost_VVD meaning_NN1 ,_, and_CC Cassie_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI how_RGQ long_RR he_PPHS1 held_VVD her_PPHO1 against_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
Then_RT ,_, just_RR when_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ least_RRT prepared_VVN ,_, he_PPHS1 seemed_VVD to_TO snap_VVI to_II attention_NN1 ,_, become_VV0 aware_JJ of_IO his_APPGE surroundings_NN2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 dropped_VVD his_APPGE arms_NN2 and_CC stepped_VVD away_RL ._. 
His_APPGE movements_NN2 were_VBDR so_RG abrupt_JJ that_CST she_PPHS1 nearly_RR stumbled_VVD ._. 
She_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI if_CSW he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX clasped_VVN her_APPGE shoulders_NN2 to_TO steady_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
Speechless_JJ ,_, she_PPHS1 stared_VVD up_RP at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, unable_JK to_TO make_VVI sense_NN1 of_IO what_DDQ had_VHD happened_VVN in_II the_AT past_JJ few_DA2 minutes_NNT2 ._. 
Under_II normal_JJ conditions_NN2 ,_, Cassie_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX give_VVI way_NN1 to_II emotion_NN1 ,_, and_CC certainly_RR not_XX in_II public_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB Christmas_NNT1 ,_, that_DD1 little_JJ girl_NN1 and_CC the_AT memory_NN1 of_IO losing_VVG her_APPGE own_DA father_NN1 had_VHD struck_VVN her_APPGE hard_JJ and_CC there_EX 'd_VHD been_VBN no_RR stopping_VVG the_AT barrage_NN1 of_IO deeply_RR buried_VVN feelings_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 told_VVD herself_PPX1 she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ not_XX going_VVGK to_TO react_VVI to_II that_DD1 kiss_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 need_VV0 a_AT1 cup_NN1 of_IO coffee_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 murmured_VVD ._. 
Despite_II her_APPGE tears_NN2 her_APPGE throat_NN1 was_VBDZ parched_JJ ._. 
Simon_NP1 nodded_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM change_VVI clothes_NN2 and_CC be_VBI right_JJ back_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ sure_JJ her_APPGE voice_NN1 sounded_VVD strained_JJ and_CC unnatural_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 hurried_VVD inside_II the_AT ladies_NN2 '_GE room_NN1 ;_; once_RR the_AT door_NN1 was_VBDZ closed_VVN she_PPHS1 leaned_VVD against_II it_PPH1 and_CC covered_VVN her_APPGE face_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE whole_JJ body_NN1 was_VBDZ trembling_VVG ._. 
Eventually_RR ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 felt_VVD composed_VVN again_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 straightened_VVD and_CC began_VVN to_TO dress_VVI ._. 
To_II the_AT best_JJT of_IO her_APPGE knowledge_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 she_PPHS1 'd_VHD ever_RR cried_VVN over_II her_APPGE father_NN1 ._. 
Peter_NP1 Beaumont_NP1 had_VHD simply_RR walked_VVN out_II21 of_II22 their_APPGE lives_NN2 one_MC1 day_NNT1 as_CS21 if_CS22 it_PPH1 meant_VVD nothing_PN1 ._. 
As_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 meant_VVD nothing_PN1 ._. 
The_AT event_NN1 had_VHD forever_RT marked_VVN her_PPHO1 and_CC Shawn_NP1 and_CC their_APPGE mother_NN1 ,_, as_RR21 well_RR22 ._. 
And_CC yet_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 seemed_VVD oblivious_JJ to_II the_AT anguish_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD inflicted_VVN on_II his_APPGE wife_NN1 and_CC children_NN2 ._. 
His_APPGE excuse_NN1 was_VBDZ that_CST he_PPHS1 needed_VVD to_TO "_" find_VVI himself_PPX1 ._. "_" 
Apparently_RR he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX manage_VVI that_DD1 and_CC be_VBI a_AT1 husband_NN1 and_CC father_NN1 at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ._. 
His_PPGE was_VBDZ a_AT1 solitary_JJ path_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO matter_VVI how_RGQ many_DA2 hearts_NN2 he_PPHS1 crushed_VVD along_II the_AT way_NN1 ._. 
Cassie_NP1 made_VVD every_AT1 effort_NN1 to_TO cast_VVI all_DB thoughts_NN2 of_IO him_PPHO1 out_II21 of_II22 her_APPGE mind_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ there_RL ,_, as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 wanted_VVD to_TO deny_VVI his_APPGE existence_NN1 ._. 
When_CS Cassie_NP1 had_VHD finished_VVN dressing_VVG ,_, she_PPHS1 left_VVD her_APPGE outfit_NN1 neatly_RR on_II a_AT1 ledge_NN1 near_II the_AT sink_NN1 and_CC wrote_VVD Daisy_NP1 a_AT1 note_NN1 explaining_VVG why_RRQ the_AT shoes_NN2 and_CC tights_NN2 were_VBDR in_II the_AT garbage_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT she_PPHS1 brushed_VVD her_APPGE hair_NN1 and_CC repaired_VVD her_APPGE makeup_NN1 ._. 
Simon_NP1 was_VBDZ pacing_VVG in_II the_AT hallway_NN1 outside_II the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 stopped_VVD when_RRQ he_PPHS1 saw_VVD her_PPHO1 and_CC even_RR in_II the_AT dimly_RR lit_VVN hallway_NN1 she_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX quite_RR himself_PPX1 ,_, either_RR ._. 
With_IW his_APPGE hand_NN1 at_II her_APPGE elbow_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 escorted_VVD her_PPHO1 back_RP into_II the_AT mall_NN1 and_CC toward_II an_AT1 exit_NN1 ._. 
"_" There_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 place_NN1 close_VV0 by_II where_RRQ we_PPIS2 can_VM have_VHI coffee_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 reached_VVD inside_II his_APPGE pocket_NN1 for_IF his_APPGE car_NN1 keys_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM drive_VVI ._. "_" 
Cassie_NP1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ was_VBDZ wrong_JJ with_IW the_AT restaurants_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR within_II walking_VVG distance_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, she_PPHS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI the_AT energy_NN1 to_TO argue_VVI ,_, so_CS she_PPHS1 just_RR followed_VVD him_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX surprised_JJ to_TO see_VVI that_CST he_PPHS1 drove_VVD a_AT1 black_JJ sedan_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 black_JJ interior_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ meticulously_RR maintained_VVN ;_; she_PPHS1 would_VM n't_XX have_VHI expected_VVN anything_PN1 less_DAR ._. 
Simon_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX the_AT type_NN1 of_IO man_NN1 who_PNQS 'd_VM have_VHI hamburger_NN1 wrappings_NN2 and_CC stale_JJ French_JJ fries_NN2 littering_VVG his_APPGE vehicle_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 did_VDD n't_XX speak_VVI ;_; he_PPHS1 glanced_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 for_IF approval_NN1 ,_, then_RT flipped_VVN on_II a_AT1 CD_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 recognized_VVD the_AT calming_JJ strains_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 Bach_NP1 piano_NN1 concerto_NN1 ._. 
Again_RT ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX surprised_JJ ,_, although_CS she_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX have_VHI identified_VVN the_AT piece_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 leaned_VVD back_RP ,_, eyes_NN2 shut_VV0 ,_, letting_VVG the_AT music_NN1 flow_VVI over_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
The_AT restaurant_NN1 was_VBDZ n't_XX really_RR all_DB that_CST close_VV0 ,_, she_PPHS1 noted_VVD a_RR21 little_RR22 later_RRR ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ perhaps_RR a_AT1 fifteen-minute_JJ drive_NN1 along_II the_AT Tacoma_NP1 waterfront_NN1 before_CS he_PPHS1 pulled_VVD into_II an_AT1 exclusive_JJ housing_NN1 development_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 turned_VVD down_RP several_DA2 streets_NN2 ,_, then_RT entered_VVD a_AT1 driveway_NN1 ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ n't_XX a_AT1 restaurant_NN1 ,_, "_" Cassie_NP1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" No_UH ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ my_APPGE home_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Your_APPGE home_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 felt_VVD we_PPIS2 'd_VM both_RR appreciate_VVI privacy_NN1 for_IF this_DD1 discussion_NN1 ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ probably_RR right_JJ ._. 
Simon_NP1 ushered_VVD her_PPHO1 inside_RL ._. 
The_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ spotless_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 looked_VVD like_II one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 model_NN1 homes_NN2 with_IW everything_PN1 carefully_RR arranged_VVN and_CC color-coordinated_NN1 ,_, not_XX a_AT1 thing_NN1 out_II21 of_II22 place_NN1 ._. 
No_AT Christmas_NNT1 decorations_NN2 ._. 
Nor_CC did_VDD she_PPHS1 see_VVI a_AT1 single_JJ photograph_NN1 ,_, and_CC that_CST seemed_VVD almost_RR unnatural_JJ ._. 
Surely_RR there_EX Were_VBDR people_NN in_II his_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, people_NN he_PPHS1 loved_VVD and_CC cared_VVN about_II ._. 
Family_NN1 ._. 
Friends_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT again_RT ,_, maybe_RR he_PPHS1 preferred_VVD to_TO keep_VVI his_APPGE distance_NN1 from_II others_NN2 ._. 
Maybe_RR he_PPHS1 felt_VVD his_APPGE job_NN1 required_VVN it_PPH1 ._. 
"_" Make_VV0 yourself_PPX1 comfortable_JJ ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD and_CC gestured_VVD toward_II the_AT sofa_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 disappeared_VVD into_II the_AT kitchen_NN1 through_II a_AT1 swinging_JJ door_NN1 ._. 
Cassie_NP1 looked_VVD out_RP over_II Commencement_NN1 Bay_NN1 ,_, although_CS her_APPGE thoughts_NN2 still_RR churned_VVD and_CC she_PPHS1 hardly_RR noticed_VVD the_AT beauty_NN1 before_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 had_VHD a_AT1 distinct_JJ feeling_NN1 that_CST their_APPGE professional_JJ agreement_NN1 was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO come_VVI to_II an_AT1 end_NN1 ._. 
Other_II21 than_II22 one_MC1 brief_JJ interchange_NN1 --_NN1 when_CS he_PPHS1 asked_VVD how_RRQ she_PPHS1 liked_VVD her_APPGE coffee_NN1 --_NN1 all_DB was_VBDZ silent_JJ ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 few_DA2 minutes_NNT2 ,_, Simon_NP1 reappeared_VVD with_IW two_MC cups_NN2 of_IO coffee_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 handed_VVD her_PPHO1 one_PN1 ,_, careful_JJ to_TO avoid_VVI physical_JJ contact_NN1 ,_, before_II taking_VVG a_AT1 seat_NN1 as_RG far_RR away_RL as_CSA the_AT room_NN1 allowed_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 stared_VVD down_RP at_II his_APPGE coffee_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 would_VM like_VVI to_TO know_VVI what_DDQ happened_VVD back_RP at_II the_AT mall_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD after_II a_AT1 tense_JJ moment_NN1 ._. 
"_" Okay_RR ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ n't_XX as_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 could_VM ignore_VVI the_AT episode_NN1 ._. 
"_" Which_DDQ part_NN1 do_VD0 you_PPY want_VVI to_TO discuss_VVI ?_? "_" 
"_" What_DDQ were_VBDR those_DD2 tears_NN2 about_II ?_? "_" 
Now_RT Cassie_NP1 stared_VVD into_II her_APPGE coffee_NN1 ._. 
"_" My_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 began_VVD ,_, then_RT shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT last_MD child_NN1 in_II line_NN1 ._. "_" 
Simon_NP1 says_VVZ :_: The_AT perfect_JJ Christmas_NNT1 is_VBZ the_AT one_PN1 I_PPIS1 spend_VV0 with_IW you_PPY ._. 
Simon_NP1 strode_VVD into_II Cassie_NP1 's_GE apartment_NN1 but_CCB could_VM n't_XX seem_VVI to_TO stop_VVI moving_VVG ,_, from_II door_NN1 to_II window_NN1 and_CC back_RP again_RT ._. 
Cassie_NP1 wished_VVD she_PPHS1 dared_VVD to_TO throw_VVI her_APPGE arms_NN2 around_II him_PPHO1 and_CC halt_VVI his_APPGE frantic_JJ pacing_VVG ._. 
"_" Why_RRQ would_VM n't_XX you_PPY agree_VVI to_TO at_RR21 least_RR22 meet_VVI John_NP1 ?_? "_" 
The_AT anger_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO radiate_VVI from_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Simon_NP1 ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 why_RRQ ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM in_II love_NN1 with_IW you_PPY ._. "_" 
His_APPGE eyes_NN2 slammed_VVD shut_JJ and_CC he_PPHS1 clenched_VVD his_APPGE jaw_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI your_APPGE love_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" So_CS you_PPY said_VVD ._. "_" 
That_DD1 did_VDD n't_XX change_VVI the_AT way_NN1 she_PPHS1 felt_VVD ,_, though_RR ._. 
"_" What_DDQ harm_VV0 would_VM it_PPH1 have_VHI done_VDN to_TO meet_VVI John_NP1 ?_? "_" 
"_" None_PN ,_, I_PPIS1 suppose_VV0 ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 shrug_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB I_PPIS1 felt_VVD I_PPIS1 would_VM 've_VHI been_VBN doing_VDG him_PPHO1 a_AT1 disservice_NN1 ._. "_" 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ as_CS21 though_CS22 he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX heard_VVN her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" In_II other_JJ words_NN2 ,_, despite_II your_APPGE assurances_NN2 that_CST you_PPY 're_VBR willing_JJ to_TO move_VVI on_RP with_IW your_APPGE life_NN1 ,_, you_PPY refuse_VV0 to_TO do_VDI so_RR ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 challenged_VVD ._. 
Cassie_NP1 sat_VVD on_II her_APPGE sofa_NN1 while_CS Simon_NP1 continued_VVD pacing_VVG ._. 
She_PPHS1 tracked_VVD his_APPGE movements_NN2 with_IW her_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX worry_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM date_VVI other_JJ men_NN2 --_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 'm_VBM ready_JJ ._. "_" 
He_PPHS1 whirled_VVD around_RP and_CC glared_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
Cassie_NP1 felt_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE turn_NN1 to_TO pose_VVI a_AT1 few_DA2 questions_NN2 ._. 
"_" Why_RRQ are_VBR you_PPY fighting_VVG this_DD1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ,_, looking_VVG up_RP at_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" And_CC ..._... why_RRQ are_VBR you_PPY here_RL at_RR21 all_RR22 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 had_VHD to_TO talk_VVI to_II you_PPY about_II John_NP1 ._. "_" 
Simon_NP1 shook_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 ._. 
"_" Do_VD0 n't_XX you_PPY realize_VVI marrying_VVG me_PPIO1 would_VM be_VBI a_AT1 disaster_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Really_RR ?_? "_" 
It_PPH1 did_VDD n't_XX escape_VVI her_APPGE notice_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 had_VHD n't_XX denied_VVN anything_PN1 --_JJ and_CC that_CST he_PPHS1 'd_VHD brought_VVN up_RP marriage_NN1 ._. 
Evidently_RR the_AT subject_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN on_II his_APPGE mind_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ encouraging_JJ ._. 
"_" Why_RRQ 's_VBZ that_DD1 ?_? "_" 
