My_DPS knuckles_NN2 blanched_VVD on_PRP the_AT0 steering_NN1 wheel_NN1 as_CJS I_PNP pumped_VVD the_AT0 brakes_NN2 of_PRF my_DPS rental_NN1 car_NN1 ._SENT Even_AV0 though_CJS I_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN told_VVN —_PUN more_AV0 than_CJS once_AV0 —_PUN that_DT0 automatic_AJ0 brakes_NN2 did_VDD n't_XX0 require_VVI pumping_VVG ,_PUN I_PNP could_VM0 n't_XX0 help_VVI myself_PNX ._SENT The_AT0 action_NN1 calmed_VVD my_DPS nerves_NN2 ,_PUN giving_VVG me_PNP the_AT0 illusion_NN1 that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD an_AT0 ounce_NN1 of_PRF control_NN1 as_PRP the_AT0 tires_VVZ slid_VVN and_CJC scooted_VVN upon_PRP the_AT0 ice-covered_AJ0 road_NN1 and_CJC large_AJ0 snowflakes_NN2 the_AT0 size_NN1 of_PRF oranges_NN2 fell_VVD from_PRP the_AT0 sky_NN1 ._SENT 
With_PRP the_AT0 sheer_AJ0 quantity_NN1 of_PRF snowflakes_NN2 hitting_VVG the_AT0 windshield_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP knew_VVD any_DT0 sense_NN1 of_PRF control_NN1 I_PNP thought_VVD I_PNP possessed_VVD was_VBD nothing_PNI more_DT0 than_CJS a_AT0 figment_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS imagination_NN1 ._SENT If_CJS circumstances_NN2 were_VBD different_AJ0 ,_PUN I_PNP could_VM0 relax_VVI and_CJC see_VVI the_AT0 beauty_NN1 around_PRP me_PNP ._SENT If_CJS instead_AV0 of_PRF driving_VVG alone_AV0 to_PRP an_AT0 unknown_AJ0 future_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD sipping_VVG hot_AJ0 chocolate_NN1 next_ORD to_PRP a_AT0 roaring_AJ0 fire_NN1 with_PRP friends_NN2 and_CJC family_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP might_VM0 be_VBI able_AJ0 to_TO0 appreciate_VVI that_CJT I_PNP had_VHD somehow_AV0 managed_VVN to_TO0 enter_VVI a_AT0 giant_AJ0 snow_NN1 globe_NN1 and_CJC that_DT0 whole_AJ0 world_NN1 had_VHD just_AV0 been_VBN given_VVN a_AT0 strong_AJ0 shake_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS attention_NN1 went_VVD back_AVP and_CJC forth_AV0 between_PRP what_DTQ I_PNP believed_VVD was_VBD the_AT0 road_NN1 before_PRP me_PNP and_CJC my_DPS GPS_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 directional_AJ0 system_NN1 had_VHD taken_VVN me_PNP on_PRP what_DTQ it_PNP considered_VVD the_AT0 best_AJS route_NN1 ._SENT According_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 screen_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD still_AV0 on_PRP the_AT0 pavement_NN1 ;_PUN thank_VVB God_NP0 the_AT0 GPS_NN2 could_VM0 differentiate_VVI because_CJS from_PRP my_DPS viewpoint_NN1 ,_PUN everything_PNI between_PRP the_AT0 endless_AJ0 borders_NN2 of_PRF tall_AJ0 pine_NN1 trees_NN2 was_VBD nothing_PNI more_DT0 than_CJS a_AT0 white_AJ0 ribbon_NN1 ._SENT 
Though_CJS I_PNP continued_VVD forward_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS estimated_AJ0 time_NN1 of_PRF arrival_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO0 grow_VVI later_AJC and_CJC later_AJC ._SENT That_DT0 was_VBD in_PRP no_AT0 doubt_NN1 due_AJ0 to_PRP my_DPS decreased_AJ0 speed_NN1 ._SENT Between_PRP the_AT0 snow-and-ice-covered_AJ0 surface_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 lack_NN1 of_PRF defined_AJ0 road_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC increased_AJ0 blizzard_NN1 conditions_NN2 including_PRP gusty_AJ0 wind_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP seemed_VVD as_CJS if_CJS instead_AV0 of_PRF driving_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 car_NN1 was_VBD crawling_VVG forward_AV0 ._SENT The_AT0 speedometer_NN1 varied_VVN between_PRP fifteen_CRD and_CJC a_AT0 whopping_AJ0 twenty-five_CRD miles_NN2 per_PRP hour_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS I_PNP 'd_VHD left_VVN Chicago_NP0 this_DT0 morning_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 forecast_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN clear_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 weathercaster_NN1 said_VVD that_CJT snow_NN1 was_VBD n't_XX0 supposed_AJ0 to_TO0 arrive_VVI until_PRP late_AV0 tomorrow_AV0 ._SENT With_PRP only_AV0 a_AT0 seven-hour_AJ0 drive_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS plan_NN1 was_VBD to_TO0 arrive_VVI at_PRP the_AT0 hotel_NN1 in_PRP Ashland_NP0 ,_PUN Wisconsin_NP0 ,_PUN before_PRP nightfall_NN1 ,_PUN spend_VVB a_AT0 few_DT0 days_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC get_VVB a_AT0 feel_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 city_NN1 ._SENT With_PRP fewer_DT0 than_CJS ten_CRD thousand_CRD people_NN0 ,_PUN it_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI drastically_AV0 different_AJ0 from_PRP what_DTQ I_PNP was_VBD used_VVN to_PRP in_PRP Chicago_NP0 ._SENT 
Different_AJ0 —_PUN that_DT0 in_PRP a_AT0 nutshell_NN1 was_VBD exactly_AV0 why_AVQ I_PNP applied_VVD for_PRP this_DT0 job_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Good_AJ0 plan_NN1 ,_PUN Julia_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ I_PNP said_VVD aloud_AV0 to_PRP myself_PNX ._SENT 
Maybe_AV0 after_PRP hours_NN2 of_PRF driving_VVG north_NN1 from_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD hungry_AJ0 to_TO0 hear_VVI a_AT0 human_AJ0 voice_NN1 ,_PUN one_PNI not_XX0 singing_VVG or_CJC on_PRP a_AT0 podcast_NN1 ._SENT Or_CJC perhaps_AV0 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD too_AV0 exasperated_VVN with_PRP my_DPS situation_NN1 to_TO0 keep_VVI quiet_AJ0 any_DT0 longer_AV0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Did_VDD you_PNP ever_AV0 wonder_VVB why_AVQ this_DT0 job_NN1 was_VBD available_AJ0 ?_SENT It_PNP 's_VBZ because_CJS whomever_PNQ this_DT0 client_NN1 is_VBZ could_VM0 be_VBI a_AT0 psycho_NN1 and_CJC on_PRP top_NN1 of_PRF that_DT0 ,_PUN it_PNP 's_VBZ located_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 middle_NN1 of_PRF nowhere_AV0 ._SENT "_PUQ 
Sadly_AV0 ,_PUN nowhere_AV0 was_VBD exactly_AV0 what_DTQ I_PNP 'd_VHD sought_VVN ._SENT 
Going_VVG back_AVP to_PRP my_DPS analogy_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 shaken_AJ0 snow_NN1 globe_NN1 ,_PUN that_DT0 was_VBD my_DPS life_NN1 ._SENT 
Shaken_AJ0 ._SENT 
Hours_NN2 of_PRF driving_NN1 had_VHD given_VVN me_PNP a_AT0 new_AJ0 perspective_NN1 ,_PUN one_PNI that_CJT benefited_VVD from_PRP a_AT0 bit_NN1 of_PRF distance_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP knew_VVD there_EX0 were_VBD many_DT0 people_NN0 who_PNQ faced_VVD greater_AJC obstacles_NN2 and_CJC more_DT0 adversity_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP also_AV0 was_VBD n't_XX0 the_AT0 princess_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 ivory_NN1 tower_NN1 that_CJT many_DT0 believed_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 be_VBI ._SENT 
My_DPS eyes_NN2 narrowed_VVD as_CJS I_PNP tried_VVD to_TO0 make_VVI out_AVP the_AT0 road_NN1 before_PRP me_PNP ._SENT The_AT0 headlights_NN2 created_VVD a_AT0 tunnel_NN1 of_PRF illumination_NN1 filled_VVN with_PRP glistening_VVG large_AJ0 snowflakes_NN2 above_PRP a_AT0 thick_AJ0 white_AJ0 blanket_NN1 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Come_VVB on_AVP ,_PUN you_PNP can_VM0 make_VVI it_PNP ._SENT Just_AV0 "_PUQ —_PUN I_PNP looked_VVD again_AV0 at_PRP the_AT0 GPS_NN2 —_PUN "_PUQ another_DT0 hour_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ 
My_DPS stomach_NN1 growled_VVD as_CJS I_PNP held_VVD tighter_AV0 to_PRP the_AT0 steering_NN1 wheel_NN1 ,_PUN feeling_VVG the_AT0 way_NN1 the_AT0 wind_NN1 gusts_NN2 pushed_VVD me_PNP sideways_AV0 ._SENT I_PNP shook_VVD my_DPS head_NN1 ,_PUN wondering_VVG if_CJS I_PNP 'd_VM0 see_VVI any_DT0 signs_NN2 of_PRF civilization_NN1 :_PUN a_AT0 gas_NN1 station_NN1 or_CJC small_AJ0 town_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 darker_AJC the_AT0 sky_NN1 became_VVD as_PRP my_DPS car_NN1 plowed_VVN through_PRP the_AT0 accumulating_AJ0 snow_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 more_AV0 I_PNP admitted_VVD to_PRP myself_PNX that_CJT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI stopped_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD town_NN1 ._SENT 
As_CJS I_PNP crept_VVD onward_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 phrase_NN1 ‘should_NN1 have_VHB '_PUQ seemed_VVN to_TO0 repeat_VVI on_PRP a_AT0 loop_NN1 in_PRP my_DPS thoughts_NN2 ._SENT 
I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI stopped_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 last_ORD town_NN1 ,_PUN filled_VVD the_AT0 gas_NN1 tank_NN1 ,_PUN gotten_VVN something_PNI to_TO0 eat_VVI ,_PUN and_CJC found_VVD a_AT0 hotel_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI said_VVN no_AV0 to_PRP Skylar_NP0 Butler_NP0 when_CJS he_PNP asked_VVD me_PNP to_TO0 marry_VVI him_PNP ._SENT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI seen_VVN the_AT0 writing_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 wall_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI discouraged_VVN my_DPS parents_NN2 from_PRP planning_VVG the_AT0 most_AV0 lavish_AJ0 wedding_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 century_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI known_VVN his_DPS parents_NN2 were_VBD more_AV0 excited_AJ0 about_PRP our_DPS nuptials_NN2 than_CJS he_PNP was_VBD ._SENT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI questioned_VVN Skylar_NP0 's_POS schedule_NN1 ,_PUN his_DPS trips_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 times_NN2 he_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 answer_VVI his_DPS cell_NN1 phone_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI trusted_VVN what_DTQ I_PNP 'd_VHD known_VVN most_DT0 of_PRF our_DPS lives_NN2 ._SENT 
In_PRP my_DPS defense_NN1 ,_PUN as_CJS the_AT0 sayings_NN2 went_VVD ,_PUN hindsight_NN1 was_VBD twenty-twenty_CRD and_CJC love_NN1 was_VBD blind_AJ0 ._SENT 
In_PRP my_DPS case_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP think_VVB a_AT0 more_AV0 accurate_AJ0 assessment_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS impending_AJ0 nuptials_NN2 was_VBD that_CJT our_DPS love_NN1 did_VDD n't_XX0 have_VHI vision_NN1 problems_NN2 ;_PUN it_PNP quite_AV0 simply_AV0 never_AV0 existed_VVN ,_PUN not_XX0 in_PRP the_AT0 way_NN1 that_CJT made_VVD your_DPS heart_NN1 beat_VVD faster_AJC or_CJC your_DPS mouth_NN1 go_VVB dry_AJ0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 that_CJT Skylar_NP0 was_VBD n't_XX0 easy_AJ0 on_PRP the_AT0 eyes_NN2 ._SENT 
He_PNP was_VBD handsome_AJ0 and_CJC he_PNP knew_VVD it_PNP ._SENT 
That_DT0 had_VHD been_VBN an_AT0 issue_NN1 since_CJS we_PNP were_VBD young_AJ0 ._SENT 
Skylar_NP0 was_VBD also_AV0 capable_AJ0 when_CJS it_PNP came_VVD to_PRP foreplay_NN1 ._SENT 
Further_AV0 than_CJS that_DT0 ,_PUN and_CJC I_PNP was_VBD in_PRP the_AT0 minority_NN1 of_PRF women_NN2 in_PRP Skylar_NP0 's_POS orbit_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 know_VVI if_CJS the_AT0 rumors_NN2 of_PRF his_DPS sexual_AJ0 prowess_NN1 were_VBD accurate_AJ0 ._SENT We_PNP 'd_VHD agreed_VVN to_TO0 wait_VVI for_PRP that_DT0 final_AJ0 consummation_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS relationship_NN1 ._SENT That_DT0 's_VBZ not_XX0 to_TO0 say_VVI we_PNP had_VHD n't_XX0 gotten_VVN close_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 thing_NN1 was_VBD ,_PUN we_PNP 'd_VHD been_VBN a_AT0 couple_NN1 since_PRP either_DT0 of_PRF us_PNP could_VM0 walk_VVI or_CJC talk_VVI ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD difficult_AJ0 to_TO0 think_VVI of_PRF one_CRD another_DT0 in_PRP romantic_AJ0 terms_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 agreement_NN1 of_PRF remaining_AJ0 pure_AJ0 was_VBD implied_VVN ._SENT 
Apparently_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD an_AT0 agreement_NN1 between_PRP Skylar_NP0 and_CJC me_PNP ,_PUN not_XX0 him_PNP and_CJC ..._PUN well_AV0 ,_PUN anyone_PNI else_AV0 ._SENT 
My_DPS grip_NN1 intensified_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 steering_NN1 wheel_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 the_AT0 worsening_AJ0 conditions_NN2 but_CJC the_AT0 memory_NN1 of_PRF finding_VVG the_AT0 text_NN1 message_NN1 from_PRP my_DPS best_AJS friend_NN1 and_CJC maid_NN1 of_PRF honor_NN1 ,_PUN Beth_NP0 ._SENT 
Let_VVB me_PNP backtrack_VVI ._SENT 
A_AT0 year_NN1 ago_AV0 ,_PUN at_PRP a_AT0 large_AJ0 holiday_NN1 gathering_NN1 surrounded_VVN by_PRP family_NN1 and_CJC friends_NN2 along_AVP with_PRP some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 most_AV0 powerful_AJ0 people_NN0 in_PRP both_DT0 our_DPS families_NN2 '_POS world_NN1 ,_PUN Skylar_NP0 took_VVD my_DPS hand_NN1 and_CJC on_PRP bended_AJ0 knee_NN1 proposed_VVN ._SENT Like_PRP everything_PNI else_AV0 in_PRP his_DPS life_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 entire_AJ0 scene_NN1 was_VBD a_AT0 performance_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS smile_NN1 and_CJC acceptance_NN1 were_VBD n't_XX0 as_AV0 important_AJ0 as_CJS the_AT0 hushed_AJ0 whispers_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 pregnant_AJ0 pause_NN1 waiting_VVG for_PRP my_DPS answer_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 cheers_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 crowd_NN1 when_CJS I_PNP said_VVD yes_ITJ ._SENT 
And_CJC then_AV0 my_DPS fiancé_NN1 was_VBD off_AVP for_PRP cigars_NN2 and_CJC bourbon_NN1 with_PRP our_DPS fathers_NN2 and_CJC others_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 social_AJ0 sphere_NN1 to_TO0 celebrate_VVI the_AT0 uniting_NN1 of_PRF our_DPS families_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD n't_XX0 as_CJS if_CJS I_PNP were_VBD forgotten_VVN ._SENT No_ITJ ,_PUN I_PNP now_AV0 had_VHD an_AT0 important_AJ0 role_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP was_VBD immediately_AV0 surrounded_VVN by_PRP our_DPS mothers_NN2 and_CJC all_DT0 the_AT0 ladies_NN2 in_PRP Chicago_NP0 's_POS high_AJ0 society_NN1 who_PNQ could_VM0 welcome_VVI me_PNP into_PRP the_AT0 married_AJ0 world_NN1 of_PRF Chicago_NP0 's_POS finest_AJS ._SENT 
Becoming_VVG Mrs._NP0 Skylar_NP0 Butler_NP0 was_VBD a_AT0 destination_NN1 I_PNP never_AV0 questioned_VVD ._SENT The_AT0 road_NN1 map_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN not_XX0 only_AV0 sketched_VVN but_CJC written_VVN in_PRP ink_NN1 since_PRP the_AT0 day_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS birth_NN1 ,_PUN just_AV0 three_CRD months_NN2 after_PRP Skylar_NP0 's_POS ._SENT 
Time_NN1 moved_VVD on_AVP ._SENT My_DPS wedding_NN1 showers_NN2 were_VBD completed_VVN ._SENT Our_DPS newly_AV0 constructed_AJ0 home_NN1 was_VBD mostly_AV0 finished_VVN ,_PUN filled_VVN with_PRP gifts_NN2 and_CJC all_DT0 the_AT0 luxuries_NN2 money_NN1 could_VM0 buy_VVI ._SENT Our_DPS two-week_AJ0 overseas_AJ0 honeymoon_NN1 trip_NN1 was_VBD booked_VVN ,_PUN and_CJC RSVPs_NP0 to_PRP the_AT0 big_AJ0 day_NN1 were_VBD coming_VVG in_AVP by_PRP the_AT0 hundreds_CRD ._SENT 
Our_DPS wedding_NN1 was_VBD set_VVN for_PRP New_AJ0 Year_NN1 's_POS Eve_NN1 ._SENT 
It_PNP will_VM0 be_VBI —_PUN was_VBD to_TO0 be_VBI —_PUN the_AT0 event_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 decade_NN1 ._SENT 
No_AT0 expense_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN spared_VVN for_PRP the_AT0 union_NN1 of_PRF Julia_NP0 McGrath_NP0 and_CJC Skylar_NP0 Butler_NP0 ._SENT 
This_DT0 was_VBD not_XX0 only_AV0 a_AT0 love_NN1 story_NN1 —_PUN according_VVG to_PRP all_DT0 the_AT0 society_NN1 pages_NN2 —_PUN but_CJC the_AT0 business_NN1 deal_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 century_NN1 ._SENT My_DPS family_NN1 lost_VVD majority_NN1 interest_NN1 in_PRP privately_AV0 owned_VVN Wade_NP0 Pharmaceutical_AJ0 before_PRP fiscal-year_AJ0 2000_CRD when_CJS our_DPS stock_NN1 hold_NN1 went_VVD below_AV0 fifty_CRD percent_NN0 ._SENT The_AT0 reasons_NN2 could_VM0 be_VBI cited_VVN as_PRP bad_AJ0 management_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 economy_NN1 ,_PUN or_CJC a_AT0 number_NN1 of_PRF decisions_NN2 that_CJT did_VDD n't_XX0 pan_VVI out_AVP ._SENT Regardless_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS family_NN1 lost_VVD what_DTQ we_PNP 'd_VHD possessed_VVN since_PRP my_DPS great-grandfather_NN1 founded_VVD the_AT0 company_NN1 ._SENT 
My_DPS family_NN1 's_POS controlling_AJ0 interest_NN1 existed_VVN by_PRP a_AT0 paper-thin_AJ0 margin_NN1 ._SENT 
Dad_NN1 blamed_VVD it_PNP all_DT0 on_PRP my_DPS grandfather_NN1 's_POS decision_NN1 to_TO0 offer_VVI shares_NN2 of_PRF Wade_NP0 —_PUN a_AT0 privately_AV0 held_VVN company_NN1 —_PUN to_PRP outside_AJ0 investors_NN2 ._SENT Over_PRP time_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 chosen_AJ0 investors_NN2 sold_VVN to_PRP others_NN2 ,_PUN increasing_VVG the_AT0 number_NN1 of_PRF investors_NN2 ,_PUN weakening_VVG my_DPS family_NN1 's_POS influence_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC increasing_AJ0 liability_NN1 ._SENT As_CJS was_VBD spelled_VVN out_AVP in_PRP my_DPS grandfather_NN1 's_POS will_NN1 ,_PUN our_DPS family_NN1 's_POS shares_NN2 of_PRF Wade_NP0 Pharmaceutical_AJ0 would_VM0 transfer_VVI to_PRP me_PNP upon_PRP my_DPS fulfillment_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS criteria_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 final_AJ0 step_NN1 being_VBG marriage_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 Butlers_NP0 held_VVD twenty-five_CRD percent_NN0 of_PRF Wade_NP0 stock_NN1 ._SENT By_PRP combining_VVG the_AT0 Butler_NP0 and_CJC McGrath_NP0 stock_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 founding_AJ0 family_NN1 could_VM0 once_AV0 again_AV0 fend_VVI off_AVP attacks_NN2 from_PRP Big_AJ0 Pharma_NP0 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD my_DPS father_NN1 's_POS constant_AJ0 belief_NN1 that_CJT a_AT0 coup_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP the_AT0 works_NN0 ._SENT He_PNP believed_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 giants_NN2 in_PRP the_AT0 industry_NN1 were_VBD picking_VVG up_AVP shares_NN2 here_AV0 ,_PUN with_PRP another_DT0 there_AV0 ,_PUN to_TO0 swoop_VVI in_AVP and_CJC swallow_VVB up_AVP Wade_NP0 ._SENT 
With_PRP my_DPS family_NN1 's_POS thirty-nine_CRD percent_NN0 and_CJC the_AT0 Butlers_NP0 '_POS twenty-five_CRD ,_PUN Wade_NP0 would_VM0 be_VBI secure_AJ0 ._SENT 
The_AT0 evening_NN1 after_PRP my_DPS last_ORD bridal_AJ0 shower_NN1 and_CJC a_AT0 week_NN1 before_PRP Christmas_NN1 ,_PUN Skylar_NP0 and_CJC I_PNP were_VBD to_TO0 attend_VVI a_AT0 charity_NN1 event_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Chicago_NP0 Philharmonic_AJ0 ._SENT Before_CJS the_AT0 performance_NN1 ,_PUN we_PNP drove_VVD out_AVP to_PRP our_DPS new_AJ0 estate_NN1 ,_PUN west_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 city_NN1 on_PRP a_AT0 sprawling_AJ0 ten-acre_AJ0 plot_NN1 of_PRF land_NN1 —_PUN our_DPS future_NN1 home_AV0 ._SENT 
Skylar_NP0 had_VHD laid_VVN his_DPS phone_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 kitchen_NN1 counter_NN1 before_PRP going_VVG out_AVP back_AVP to_TO0 check_VVI on_PRP some_DT0 last-minute_AJ0 construction_NN1 changes_NN2 ._SENT Our_DPS wedding_NN1 was_VBD only_AV0 two_CRD weeks_NN2 away_AV0 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 house_NN1 needed_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI ready_AJ0 upon_PRP our_DPS return_NN1 from_PRP our_DPS honeymoon_NN1 ._SENT 
When_CJS I_PNP saw_VVD my_DPS best_AJS friend_NN1 's_POS name_NN1 flash_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 screen_NN1 of_PRF his_DPS phone_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP envisioned_VVD a_AT0 planned_AJ0 pre-wedding_AJ0 surprise_NN1 ._SENT I_PNP justified_VVD that_CJT she_PNP 'd_VM0 call_VVI Skylar_NP0 ;_PUN after_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN we_PNP 'd_VHD all_AV0 known_VVN one_PNI another_DT0 for_PRP years_NN2 and_CJC also_AV0 ,_PUN she_PNP was_VBD the_AT0 maid_NN1 of_PRF honor_NN1 in_PRP our_DPS wedding_NN1 ._SENT 
Opening_VVG the_AT0 text_NN1 message_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP was_VBD without_PRP a_AT0 doubt_NN1 surprised_AJ0 ._SENT 
"_PUQ Oh_ITJ no._NN1 "_PUQ My_DPS scream_NN1 echoed_VVD as_PRP the_AT0 rental_NN1 car_NN1 lost_VVD its_DPS traction_NN1 and_CJC began_VVD to_TO0 spin_VVI ,_PUN flinging_VVG me_PNP from_PRP the_AT0 thoughts_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 recent_AJ0 past_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 here_AV0 and_CJC now_AV0 ._SENT 
Still_AV0 a_AT0 ways_NN2 from_PRP my_DPS destination_NN1 ,_PUN my_DPS life_NN1 flashed_VVD before_PRP my_DPS eyes_NN2 as_PRP the_AT0 white_AJ0 ribbon_NN1 appeared_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI replaced_VVN by_PRP trees_NN2 and_CJC then_AV0 back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 ribbon_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP a_AT0 child_NN1 's_POS top_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP continued_VVD around_AVP and_CJC around_AVP ._SENT 
In_PRP those_DT0 visions_NN2 ,_PUN I_PNP saw_VVD Skylar_NP0 and_CJC myself_PNX as_CJS we_PNP were_VBD growing_AJ0 children_NN2 ._SENT I_PNP recalled_VVD my_DPS desire_NN1 to_TO0 pursue_VVI literature_NN1 and_CJC journalism_NN1 ,_PUN an_AT0 unacceptable_AJ0 major_AJ0 for_PRP the_AT0 future_AJ0 owner_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 pharmaceutical_AJ0 company_NN1 ._SENT Double_AV0 majoring_VVG in_PRP business_NN1 and_CJC literature_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP squeezed_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 minor_NN1 in_PRP journalism_NN1 from_PRP Northwestern_AJ0 ._SENT The_AT0 academic_AJ0 road_NN1 took_VVD me_PNP an_AT0 additional_AJ0 semester_NN1 ,_PUN allowing_VVG me_PNP to_TO0 complete_VVI my_DPS degree_NN1 in_PRP time_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 grand_AJ0 engagement_NN1 ._SENT 
The_AT0 car_NN1 came_VVD to_PRP a_AT0 stop_NN1 ,_PUN bringing_VVG me_PNP back_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 present_NN1 ._SENT 
Letting_VVG out_AVP my_DPS held_AJ0 breath_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP laid_VVD my_DPS forehead_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 steering_NN1 wheel_NN1 and_CJC closed_VVD my_DPS eyes_NN2 ._SENT Opening_VVG them_PNP ,_PUN I_PNP saw_VVD that_CJT I_PNP was_VBD no_AV0 longer_AV0 on_PRP the_AT0 white_AJ0 ribbon_NN1 of_PRF road_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 hood_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 car_NN1 was_VBD mostly_AV0 buried_VVN in_PRP a_AT0 snowbank_NN1 and_CJC from_PRP my_DPS vantage_NN1 ,_PUN it_PNP looked_VVD like_PRP the_AT0 bumper_NN1 must_VM0 have_VHI stopped_VVN inches_NN2 from_PRP a_AT0 tall_AJ0 pine_NN1 tree_NN1 ._SENT 
I_PNP reached_VVD for_PRP my_DPS cell_NN1 phone_NN1 ._SENT There_EX0 was_VBD no_AT0 signal_NN1 ._SENT 
Glancing_VVG into_PRP the_AT0 rearview_NN1 mirror_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP saw_VVD my_DPS own_DT0 blue_AJ0 eyes_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Happy_AJ0 holidays_NN2 ,_PUN Julia_NP0 ._SENT You_PNP had_VHD a_AT0 fiancé_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 family_NN1 ,_PUN a_AT0 company_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC a_AT0 brand-new_AJ0 home_NN1 ._SENT Maybe_AV0 you_PNP should_VM0 have_VHI stayed_VVN ._SENT "_PUQ 
Swallowing_VVG ,_PUN I_PNP stared_VVD out_AVP at_PRP the_AT0 white_AJ0 surrounding_VVG me_PNP ._SENT 
With_PRP each_DT0 passing_AJ0 minute_NN1 ,_PUN determination_NN1 surged_VVD through_PRP my_DPS veins_NN2 ._SENT 
If_CJS I_PNP stayed_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 car_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP 'd_VM0 freeze_VVI ._SENT 
If_CJS I_PNP began_VVD walking_VVG ,_PUN I_PNP could_VM0 freeze_VVI ._SENT 
"_PUQ You_PNP did_VDD n't_XX0 get_VVI here_AV0 by_PRP staying_VVG put_VVN ._SENT "_PUQ 
It_PNP was_VBD a_AT0 conversation_NN1 with_PRP myself_PNX ;_PUN nevertheless_AV0 ,_PUN it_PNP was_VBD accurate_AJ0 ._SENT 
After_PRP learning_VVG that_CJT my_DPS best_AJS friend_NN1 was_VBD expecting_VVG my_DPS fiancé_NN1 's_POS baby_NN1 ,_PUN I_PNP bolted_VVD from_PRP our_DPS newly_AV0 constructed_AJ0 home_NN1 ,_PUN leaving_VVG Skylar_NP0 stranded_AJ0 ._SENT As_CJS I_PNP drove_VVD away_AV0 ,_PUN my_DPS mind_NN1 spiraled_VVD with_PRP the_AT0 shock_NN1 of_PRF my_DPS uncertain_AJ0 future_NN1 ._SENT Millions_CRD of_PRF thoughts_NN2 swirled_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 whirlwind_NN1 only_AV0 to_TO0 settle_VVI with_PRP no_AT0 distinguishable_AJ0 rhyme_NN1 or_CJC reason_NN1 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD as_AV0 one_CRD disconnected_AJ0 thought_NN1 passed_VVN by_PRP that_DT0 I_PNP grabbed_VVD ahold_NP0 ,_PUN recalling_VVG a_AT0 job_NN1 listing_NN1 I_PNP 'd_VHD seen_VVN nearly_AV0 a_AT0 month_NN1 earlier_AV0 ._SENT 
Pulling_VVG over_AVP outside_PRP Chicago_NP0 ,_PUN I_PNP searched_VVD ,_PUN only_AV0 to_TO0 find_VVI the_AT0 listing_NN1 still_AV0 existed_VVN ._SENT 
