I AM DEAD TIRED BY 10:30 p.m. Everyone leaves, and Anna goes upstairs to bed. Helen and I finally collapse on the couch to watch Plymouth Adventure, Hollywood’s version of the Mayflower story starring Spencer Tracy as the captain of the rickety vessel. I have to admit that, as good as the movie is, I drift in and out of consciousness most of the time.
Finally, I hear Helen saying my name, softly, and drift back into consciousness with my head on her shoulder.
“Tom,” she says softly, “it's after midnight.”
“I know,” I mumble, taking her word for it. “You need to go home.”
“Yes,” she says softly, “but it's also the 26th.”
This gets my foggy attention and I smile contentedly.
Only one month to go.
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