"That's the way it went for me, John, but it's not the way it has to be for you or for anyone else," she said with all seriousness.

John looked at this woman with new eyes. Her long dark hair graying around her ears, large understanding doe-eyes and her effervescent, bubbling personality fascinated him. "Let me take your coat and put on a fresh pot of coffee."

"No, I'm sorry, I really need to get going. I have more cookies in the car I want to drop off on my way to ...