Before-dinner drinks accompanied a bit of light, scattered conversation as Ann finished cooking. Ralph finally called everyone to the table just in time for Ann to begin serving up dinner, family style ... which seemed appropriate to her in honor of the company. This was as close to an extened family as she and Ralph were ever going to have, after all.
Everyone was so busy passing plates and taking helpings that no one noticed the odd look that passed between Maximus and Ann as she placed the last platter on the table.
It was a double case of deja vu -- and for a moment, they both felt how oddly familiar this scene was somewhere deep within. It was as if they'd lived this kind of scene before and were so familiar with it that it surprised them both. But the moment passed quickly and they smiled at each other. How silly to think that! Why, Ann had never served Maximus dinner in her whole life ...
As dinner was winding down, Terry began talking about why they were there together ...













