Nikki Jean

Standing in the garage, staring at the rain, and trying not to get ahead of myself, I waited for Jane, Nikki, Tim, and Mary to arrive. The night was cool for April. It was also dreary and gray. Not exactly the picture I had envisioned for a first meeting. I kept looking at my watch and looking through the rain to the edge of the driveway. Every sound echoed in my head. Every car going past made my heart jump into my throat.

Finally, I heard tires hit the gravel in the driveway. First came a small foreign car driven by the woman who introduced herself as Jane. Then a very nice Mercedes rolled up with a woman who I would learn was Mary and a little girl named McKay. Another Mercedes driven by a man I suspected was Tim pulled up last. In the back seat was the most beautiful German shepherd I had ever seen in my life. She peered eagerly out of the window, but she was very well behaved and waited until the car stopped before moving.

I felt as if I was in a dream and would wake up at any moment without knowing the outcome.