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I left Valerie’s a little off-balance. I was burning to tell Toby about Oliver Weddinghouse, at the same time, I was saddened by Valerie’s leaving and what might have been. There was a disconnect, both feelings modifying the other. Usually when I’ve had the experience of dealing with opposing forces, I feel short-changed, the expression of neither providing the satisfaction I desired. I would get over Valerie soon because the crux of the relationship was in its potential. It hadn’t been realized. Still, my experience threw cold water on the burning fires in my belly. As a result, I decided to see Carrie first–she was his attorney–and together we would bring Toby up to date.
Our schedules didn’t allow us to get together until early afternoon. When I entered her office, Carrie was bent
