Right on time, a hesitant knock sounded on my door. Footsteps began shuffling away before I could answer.

   "Where are you going?" I asked throwing the door open and wavering between desperation and hurt.

   "I...um..." he stammered. "I figured it was a joke...or a prank...or something. Maybe Joe over in accounting was trying to pull one over on me. But...you're here?"

   "Of course, I'm here!" I said a little too enthusiastically. "Where else would I be?"

   He didn't know just how pointed that last question was. I almost glared at my tree for emphasis but since he was already looking nervous, I figured that might scare him away.

   "I don't know," he said...

Please subscribe to keep reading.