January 6th, 2018

Tonight was our conspiracy dinner as we've come to call it. Sam joined us for the first time tonight. He calmly listened while we went over all the things we had already been discussing, which summed up into very little. And then he stated the hard truth; we've got a lot of coincidence, post hoc justifications, and circumstantial evidence. He recognized that Hal had some valuable experiences, but with no insult intended only had Hal's word. We didn't have anything tangible, and there was a big difference between what we could say and what we could show.

Sam wasn't wrong, and he was good about stressing that he meant no insult or disrespect. And we had to grudgingly admit that he was right. Connecting news articles that supported our view wasn't any better than what actual conspiracy theorists do, which pretty much hit things on the nose.

Hal did insist though that he was trying to get something tangible from his experiences with the illuminati, to which Sam said "Good." That was what we needed. He said he didn't mean to "rain on our parade," just that if we were serious about this, we needed to get serious about it. We needed to have something tangible, something undeniable. And he was willing to help with that.

That restored our confidence, and I think is what we needed to hear. Sitting around talking about news articles was a fun time, but hardly produced any results. We need to be more proactive.

Being proactive is all fine and good, but we weren't exactly sure where to start. We hadn't heard about any mysterious break in's like what were reported along Nephmesu's route. So we didn't have anything to work on in that direction. The bookstore was way out of our price range, Hal said "even with my new income." We had no clue who the brawler was, and I was the only one to see him at the bookstore. People still weren't being allowed near the tree, either by the police or the crows. DIA wasn't going to allow a bunch of random people to go looking around in their remodel.

What it came down to was that we had no authority, and no means of doing the things we needed to be able to do. Which was, humbling, to put it mildly.

So, Sam said rather than looking at the short game, maybe we should look at the long game and focus on that. He pointed out that Hal was already apart of "this illuminati," and that put him in the position of potentially doing any number of things. Either to expose them, or gain authority through them. Max and her training in film might put her in the position of actually catching something worthwhile, something presentable. Which left me, directionless me. Sam said that gave me the most potential of all, that I was already working toward going to college. That when I went, I could make the choice to learn forensic sciences, which were not far different from the methods and tools used for anthropology and archaeology. If something was going on, we might not be the first on the scene, but we'd be the first to be able to make a career out of it.

It was a something I don't think any of us had considered. I think it was a viewpoint we all needed to hear.

But until then, Max reminded us, we always have our conspiracy dinners. She then brought up what she'd learned about this new hero. Max was impressed to find that the reporter had actually done some research, and she was able to point to some web postings she'd found that corroborated what he'd said. But of course some research wasn't enough for her, and she'd found a lot more. The reporter had said the hero had shown up in the last week, he wasn't wrong, but Max was pretty sure he didn't exist before the 4th. In that time he'd made quite the impression as he walked around Denver. Mostly it was his appearance, he'd been photographed walking around in Highland, LODO, and Lincoln Park. But she'd also found a number of calls to the police departments in those areas from people who were frightened by his appearance.

In Lincoln Park there had been an assault involving someone with his description. Max said she wasn't sure who had attacked who based on the report, but found it strange that it hadn't been mentioned in the news report. She suspects that the news report is less about concern for his well being and more about generating an identity that the police might be able to use.

As far as the vehicle accident itself, it was a relatively minor fender bender. But witnesses do say he had approached the car vocally offering aid. His appearance though didn't help matters, and the driver reacted as though she were being attacked. The driver of the second vehicle had said he thought the "hero" had caused the accident and was assaulting the other driver. He hadn't meant to hit the person as hard as he had, and it seems everyone was surprised that they had been able to walk away.

All in all it was a nice evening, though it lasted longer than normal. Hal's dinner was pretty good to. Sam had brought the sausage and he'd offered, and onions. Hal and I had stopped by the store after he picked me up from work. He grabbed some rotini pasta, and Parmesan cheese. I grabbed mushrooms and broccoli. Max showed up later with corn and carrots. Hal cooked it all up together, tossed some herbs over it and olive oil and called it a pasta toss. It was pretty tasty.

Sam had asked to speak to me alone before he left, he wanted to know my intentions in bringing Candace to meet Jane Doe. I told him what I'd told her, that they both had amnesia, and that being able to share that might give them some common ground that they wouldn't have with anyone else. He considered it for a moment without speaking. Finally I asked why he'd come to our conspiracy night.

He said he understood that he was pushing his bounds by trying to prevent Max and I from doing some of these things. He'd decided that if he couldn't stop us, that me might as well support us. I reminded him that it was not his place to protect either of us. He nodded, and said he knew, but that he didn't want to see us get hurt.

I wanted to ask him what would hurt us. I wanted to tell him that if we did get hurt, it was on us, that he had to let us take responsibility for our actions. That it was not his place to be concerned about it. I just couldn't form the words fast enough.

Max interrupted before I could find them, which was just as well.

They left, not together since they'd drove separately, but about the same time. I spent some time in Hal's company before he brought me home, which is why I'm writing this so late now. I confessed to Hal that I think Sam's got an ulterior motive. I told him about Sam jumping to the thought of fairies when I had talked about these dinners with Candace before, that at the time it wasn't something we were considering. I dismissed it at the time, but I thought he knew something, and now I'm sure of it. I just don't know what he's playing at. Hal wasn't sure what I'd meant, so I told him how Sam had tried to forbid Max and I from visiting the tree. That he had flat out forbidden Candace from visiting it, and that was before the crows had shown up. I told him how even now he didn't like the thought of us getting involved, but that he knew better than to say as much.

January 5th, 2018

Today was just another day back to work. Hal joined me for lunch and we confirmed with Max and Sam for our conspiracy tomorrow. We weren't sure what to do for dinner, so Hal suggested everyone bring a couple of vegetables and he'd throw something together. He did ask for someone to bring italian sausage as one of their two vegetables, Sam said he would. Not sure what he's got planned, but I guess we'll find out tomorrow.

After work he picked me up and brought me to his place for a while. We mostly just hung out, he had spent a lot of the day getting supplies and books for his new classes that'll start on Monday. We also had to clean the place up a bit since he'll be getting a new roommate Sunday if not tomorrow.

While we were working on that though, a story came on the news that caught our attention. I'd been aware that there are people in a lot of the major cities that dress up in costume and wander the streets like some sort of superhero. It's kinda funny to think they do, but it actually happens, there's even been one in our area who made the news some years back. I haven't heard about him since, so I have no clue if he's still active or not.

Generally they make the news out of curiosity, but they manage to do some good. At the very least they'll have cell phones with them that they can use to take pictures and video, call the police, and help people with directions. They watch for people being victimized, mugged, forced into cars or what not. I think the one here also boasted of having a few black belts and was prepared to fight if need be. Another said he carries condoms and plan b to hand out.

Tonight's story was about another such hero that's shown up in our area just in the last week maybe? No one's sure who this person is, they've got a deer skull mask and full cloak that covers 'em up. So no race, no gender, no nothing. They haven't allowed themselves to be approached by anyone, so we don't even know what they call themselves.

What caught the media's attention about them was that last night they were involved in some traffic accident. It seems they were trying to be helpful, but due to their mask they were scaring the driver they were trying to help and another driver struck him with their car. The news story was asking if anyone knew this new hero's situation, hoping they were at least okay.

Some poor quality video did get a look at the hero in question, and they looked really familiar. It bugged me for a while, I could swear I'd seen that image before. I realized later while we watching the next episode of Supernatural that I had seen that image before. It was from a later season in Supernatural, the one where they were investigating some murders involving a LARP event. It turned out there was a fairy that had been bound to one of the players and he was using her to kill his opposition or something. She was wearing the same outfit, a deer skull mask and a black cloak.

I'm not sure if the connection is intentional, but it is a disturbing image. It's no wonder they scared who they intended to save.

I already texted Max about it knowing she'd want to know. Of course she already knew and had already compiled a set of images and video's she'd found online and was going to bring it up tomorrow for our conspiracy dinner.

Crazy stuff, I guess tomorrow we find out what Max has learned.

January 4th, 2018

Today was somber. It's hard going through a loved one's stuff after they've gone, trying to decide what to keep and what to get rid of. For Hal and I it was surreal, neither of us knew Eli. There was this forbidden element of going through a strangers stuff, sifting and sorting, with the offer of being able to keep anything we want. I spent a lot of time watching Candace though, she may have married him, but she didn't know him any better than us.

I had to be very careful about that part, trying not to let it slip to Hal that she has amnesia. Hal did pick up that we were avoiding something, but he was good enough to not bring it up. He did ask later, and all I could say was that it wasn't my place to tell him. He accepted that answer, but I don't think he liked it. People have a funny reaction to secrets that they know are being kept from them. We'll have to see how this plays out.

Candace was quiet most of the day. She was very animated while we were at the gym, and I could see that she had been feeling cooped up lately and was happy to get out at all. She had had fun during the tubing party and was still going on about it. She did make sure Hal's black eye was doing better, and was pleased to see that it was almost gone.

But as we dug in to Eli's rooms, she got very quiet. I'm not sure she recognized a lot of the stuff we were looking at. Some of it I didn't recognize myself. Hal was able to point out that one of the boxes was packed full of M.R.E.'s. Though he was surprised to find they were more than five years old. He said they might be edible, but they wouldn't be good, and suggested we throw them out.

There was another box that was quite heavy. We opened it up to see what it contained and found stakes and horseshoes. Candace seemed scared to touch them, I think she was worried of getting tetanus or something. I didn't know what they were, but Hal said it was game that could be set up in the yard.

There were piles and piles of old magazines, for guns, outdoors, National Geographic, farmer's almanacs, and newspapers. A collection of knives, cavalry swords, machete's, and of all things beanie babies. The gun cabinet was locked and we had no clue where to find the key. Candace was suggesting we break our way in, but Hal mentioned that it might not be safe. Instead he helped us move it because it was placed directly in front of the rooms closet. In that we found uniforms, fatigues, coats, and a pile of cinder blocks.

Above the rack was a shelf that we needed Hal's help to reach. There were two boxes stuffed full with letters. Most of them seemed to have been sent by his mom, but we even found a bunch sent by Sam. I suggested we let Sam have them and that he could get the rest back to his parents. Candace nodded.

Seeing those letters made me think of Efe. I should write him more. Much more.

There was so much more than I can list here, we even excavated a perfectly good coffee table that was desperately needed in the living room. Under it was a statue of a bull dog.

We spent a good three hours working on things, organizing them and moving stuff into the garage. I didn't realize it, but Eli had a '69 mustang parked in there. Candace said she only ever went in there to use the freezer and hadn't ever looked under the tarp. She didn't seem to understand why Hal and I were thrilled to see it. It looked in great condition, the tires were low, and the dash was sun baked. There were rust spots in places, and it looked like the trunk had been replaced. But for the most part, it looked like it was in great shape.

While we were in there I asked about Eli's tools and the stuff he had stored in the garage. Candace said she hadn't thought about it, but since we were going through his rooms we may as well go through the garage too. After all we had already done though, this'd have to be done some other time.

We were starting to get hungry though and Candace called Sam to see how things were going on his end. He said a client had showed up yesterday with a particular request and it was taking him longer to complete the order than he had thought. He apologized saying dinner would be late. I knew I needed to talk to Candace alone though so I asked if it would help if someone could do the shopping for him. Sam thought it was a great idea and said he could send us a list. So I asked Hal if he could do that while Candace and I cleaned up for dinner.

With Hal gone I figured we could be more candid about Candace's amnesia and asked how she was doing. Candace seemed fine, but I think the letters got to her. She pointed out that he'd saved letters from his parent's, from Sam, but after everything we'd looked through, she didn't find anything saved from her. I didn't have any good response to that and just hugged her and held her for a bit.

Once she'd calmed down, I raised the subject of Jane Doe. Candace hadn't heard anything, so I had to explain that Jane Doe was a name that was often given to women who's identity was unknown. In this case it was because like Candace, the girl had amnesia. I suggested that at the very least, they might be able to give each other company with shared experience, something the rest of us couldn't understand.

Candace seemed open to that idea, but asked if Jane wanted to meet her. I said we won't know until we ask. Still, she wanted Sam's approval. I accepted, these were her terms, I don't have to like them. She said she'd talk to Sam separately, she was still wary about anyone else knowing about her amnesia. Meaning after Hal got back we didn't speak about it again.

Dinner was good though, Hal was blown away. He'd had no idea how good a cook Sam was. Even more so, he recognized the dish as having roots all the way back to the Celts. He said in one of his anthropology classes he came to understand the importance of food in culture. Since then he'd always wanted to see about trying any ancient and exotic dish he could find. He was well versed in the names of dishes, but hadn't yet had the chance to really find out what they were.

After dinner though we showed Sam what we'd done. He was impressed with our work and asked if there was anything else that we might need his help to move. The gun cabinet we were only able to move so far, so between him and Hal they got it situated against the wall in a far more convenient spot. Sadly Sam didn't have any further clue about where we might find the key. Though he did think he could break the lock if no key was ever found.

Sam did inform us that Eli's mustang was something he'd always wanted growing up. After he'd come home from the service he bought the one in the garage and spent a great deal of time fixing it up. The rear doors had been replaced and repainted along with the trunk. We found new siding and trim to replace the rust spots that Eli had never gotten to. And I guess the engine had needed a lot of work but was one of the first things Eli got to fix. Sam even knew where to find the keys and after opening the garage he started it up. I could feel the cars deep rumble all the way into my soul, it was a beautiful sound.

Finally we delivered to Sam the box of letters we'd found. He sat down on the couch and started going through them quietly. We left him be while we busied ourselves doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. At one point though I looked over and saw Sam crying. Even now my heart goes out to him.

Before we left, Sam did clean himself up to hide that he'd been crying, and he thanked us for the letters and for helping Candace. He said his parents would be happy to get the letters back. Candace was good enough to offer that if they wanted to come over, they could go through Eli's stuff and claim anything they wanted first. Sam appreciated that.

By then it was late, so Hal drove me home. Tomorrow I'll be going back to work.

January 3rd, 2018

I think this is the first time I've actually had the whole day to just be with Hal. I know I spent a lot of time with him yesterday, but that was around work. And we did go tubing just last week, but we were with the others. Today was the first time I've really had all day just with my boyfriend. Of course, lunch was with Max, so maybe not all day. But beyond that...

This morning was just so mundane. He picked me up and we drove around taking care of chores. We visited the bank together, the pharmacy, the gym, and even stopped by the store to get groceries for him. Generally just those few stops takes me all day, give or take other stops I'd need to make. We were done by lunch, which was perfect time to drop me off with Max. And afterward we went back to my place while Dad was at work, and watched the first few episodes of Supernatural while I got my laundry done. He even helped me fold laundry.

Afterward he took me to the university and gave me a tour from his perspective. I'd been there a few times, but the official tours just aren't the same. Hal pointed out his dorm room his first year, and showed me where he'd go to get food. By which I mean not the student cafeteria, but the restaurants in easy walking distance. He pointed out the buildings he'd had classes in and which classes he'd taken. Most of the buildings were locked up of course, but the office buildings where open and staff were there starting to get prepared for the next semester. We even ran into one of Hal's professors from last year, whose name I am sorry to say I've already forgotten.

It was fun and exciting and got me to thinking of my future again. We stopped by the financial assistance building but unfortunately they were out, but I have an email I can try to establish contact with.

Afterward we went back to his place and made dinner and did some of his laundry and watched the next episode of Supernatural.

Who knew the mundane things could be so wonderful?

I did remember to text Candace this morning. She did want to get to the gym with me in the morning, and while she hadn't made any plans she was hoping to get my help with starting to clean out Eli's storage rooms. Going through his stuff and deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. I mentioned Hal and she said he'd be more than welcome to come over and help. Having some muscle around would probably be useful. And he's taller than us both, so he can reach some things that even Candace can't. Hal said he'd be happy to help us, so that should be fun.

As for lunch today, Max finally opened up. She admitted that she hadn't been overly in to Robert, he'd asked her out and he was hot, so she was happy to take him up on it. Mostly though she'd hoped that she might make Sam jealous, and while Robert wasn't as beefy as Sam, he was fairly fit and it allowed her to pretend. Which was how she opened her mouth and moaned Sam's name that night. She suspected he was aware on some level that she wasn't really with him, and their relationship the whole time hadn't been the greatest. He was more than a bit of an ass, and only wanted her around for his own pleasure. She's not one to shy away from pleasure herself, so it's not the first time she'd been in such a relationship, but they do tend to be the most toxic in her experience. All in all, it's good it didn't last, and Max wasn't all that tore up about it.

That said, after Hal and I left on New Years Eve, Candace found an excuse to make herself scarce and it gave Max a chance to be alone with Sam for a while. She said he seemed a bit nervous and distant, like he was scared to engage. But after they talked for a bit she said he relaxed and allowed himself to be curious about her. She'd been asking him about his smithing and he finally asked what she was going to school for. He was curious what it meant to be a film effects editor and how she planned to turn that into a career. Once he did that, Max felt like something fell away and she was finally able to connect with him in a meaningful way.

As I go over this trying to remember our conversation, I think I know what she means. He's pretty open about himself, or at least his work as a blacksmith. But I don't think he's been very open about what he actually does, or his interests. And his interest in me and others has always been limited. He knows I work at the museum, but I don't think he's ever really asked about what I wanted to do or why I was there. In a way, it's like he's never been able to look to the future, to contemplate it. I don't know why, but it is something for him to ask Max about her future. Maybe she'll finally get him out of his shell?

Anyway, tomorrow out to be fun, and Max does want me to probe Sam about his thoughts on her. We'll see him at dinner, but I don't think I'll get much out of him with the others around.

January 2nd, 2018

Hal is going to be the death of me... death by father that is. I'm being melodramatic, I know, but still; Hal needs to learn to keep his hands to himself around here. I don't think he realizes how disproving my dad is of boys flirting with his girls. I was never the issue, but Batel has some hard feelings about Dad's issues towards the boys she dates. Part of the reason I don't think she's said much to them about her current boyfriend. I have to admit, I do think Dad has mellowed a bit after his experiences with Batel. But I'm too terrified to find out. If Dad had opened that door just five seconds sooner...

My day has been fantastic. Despite the interruption last night I actually woke up feeling well rested and before my alarm would go off. It was one of those mornings that makes the new year feel like something magical. Feeling so good, I texted a cute little picture of myself to Hal in memory of our workout together yesterday. He got the message and said he'd like to join me again today. He was running a little late though, so he met me at the gym.

I'm more than a little jealous at his stamina around the track, not that I expected any difference though. It was fun running with him, but it was nice to stop for a bit and just watch him run too. He wasn't in to track like I was, instead he was in the boy scouts growing up. That's where he got into hiking, but he's found while he's out that he likes to pick up the pace. His long legs help, I'm sure, but he said it made it hard when he went hiking with his pack mates. He'd have to slow down so they could keep up. So now he hikes mostly alone.

This was all confessed to me during our tubing trip, but seeing him run the track today really impressed it upon me. Makes me a little worried about how a future hiking trip might go with the two of us. I don't want to slow him down, make it difficult on him.

Anyway, getting our heart beats up is as good as any aphrodisiac, and I was seriously contemplating taking him up on a steam room romp. But no, I remembered I still had work, I recalled that particular fact almost too late. Looked at the clock and realized I'd missed the last bus to make it to work on time. Made me appreciate having Hal around though, we were able to get me to work leisurely.

Hal stopped by for lunch again too, which was a pleasant surprise after these last few weeks. Since we were sitting though and not working up our appetites, he asked about what I'd be doing tomorrow for my day off. I let him know my usual routine for chores, which made for a lot of bus riding. He asked he if could join me, and with him driving we could get my chores done in the morning and have all afternoon to ourselves. It wasn't an unpleasant thought, but I do have lunch with Max planned for tomorrow. He said that was fine, he could drop me off and take care of a few things for Tim while we had lunch. Then he could pick me up afterward. He wasn't offended that he wasn't invited, I think he recognized we girls needed to be girls.

Then he asked about Thursday as well and I said that was usually when I'd spend the day with Candace and help her out. Though I need still need to confirm that, forgot to do that after work no thanks to my boyfriend. So I need to remember to text her tomorrow so I can confirm that. See what project she has in mind. She always seems to have some sort of project to keep busy. Depending on what it is we might be able to have Hal join us. I'd like to have him join us for dinner at least.

But no, after work we went back to Hal's place and lets just say we tried to use his shower as a steam room. It wasn't quite the same, but it got pretty steamy!

I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Jan. 1st, '18

Just had a dizzy spell, clock says quarter to 10. As tired as I am I'm not sure why I haven't gotten to sleep, but I've been tossing and turning for the last hour or so. Just can't seem to get comfortable, and in a way I almost didn't notice I was having an attack until I tried to turn over. I keep thinking about Sam and all the difficulties I've had with him. I'm kinda happy he's joining us, but I feel like as soon as he gets there I'm going to have to justify myself to him and I keep coming up with explanations and defenses to his imaginary accusations. I don't know why I'm getting so wound up like this and the frustration that causes just makes it worse.

Hopefully getting this out will calm me down.

January 1st, 2018

I had to think about that year, almost didn't seem right. And I'm sure over the next few weeks I'll have to rewrite it a few times.

Such a big thing to start a New Year, and yet it's just another day. A rather lazy day, I wasn't the only one who was up late last night. I forgot to set my alarm for this morning. It gave me a chance to sleep in though, which was fine. But I was getting around so late I wasn't able to get to the gym this morning. And Mom was harassing me on the way out the door saying something about me getting an extra workout with Hal. I was tired, I didn't realize what she was saying till I was halfway to work and then I was blushing furiously on the bus. Thank goodness there weren't many other passengers, but the driver did notice and asked if I was doing okay.

The museum felt almost barren this morning. There were a few chipper people in, way too happy for anyone's good. We didn't start getting busy till after lunch. Made the day take a while, but was over quick.

Hal picked me up after work and at my complaint of missing the gym this morning he offered to take me there. It was kinda cool working out with him, we'll have to do that more often. Really got the blood flowing, and he looked pretty hot in his gym clothes.

I asked him what he and Sam were talking about last night, just out of curiosity. Hal said they'd started out just getting to know each other. Turns out Sam's also pretty in to the outdoors, though he's more of the hunter type. I was not at all surprised to find out he's into bow hunting. Though it sounds like taking care of Candace this year has made it hard for him to go.

Sam actually asked Hal about our conspiracy dinners. What surprised me was that Sam wasn't coming at it from a disapproving angle, but rather curiosity and Hal tells me he ended up inviting Sam to join us. I'm still kinda floored at that, given his attitude toward the tree and his dismissal of my fears. Sam had apologized to me about dismissing my fears, but he never did seem to take the conspiracy seriously. Since then I hadn't really mentioned what we'd been doing, other than that we still meet up. He hadn't even been aware that Max was in on it now too.

So I guess he's going to join us on Saturdays now. Though not this week? I guess he's already got something with his work. But afterward he said he'd start scheduling for Saturday evenings to be able to join us.

Speaking of Max, I did check in with her just to make sure she'd gotten home safe and everything. She said she'd spent all night talking with Sam and was just getting around when I'd texted her. She's insisting we have lunch or something on Wednesday so we can talk.

I'm a little stunned by what I'm hearing about Sam from last night. I have to wonder if he was the same Sam I've known. Not entirely sure what to think about it honestly, but that's probably 'cause I'm still tired. I did get some good rest, but the shift in sleep cycle really seems to have screwed with me. After our workout I just got real tired and while I would have liked to join Hal, I ended up asking for him to take me home so I could sleep.

December 31st, 2017

I wish I didn't have work tomorrow. I'd really have liked to stay up with the others for the beginning of the New Year. I don't normally, but then I'm not normally at a party with friends.

Batel's package had arrived yesterday, which since I'd gotten home late I didn't learn about till this morning. Mom and I were able to bundle up everything we wanted to send along with Batel's sweater, so hopefully Efe'll get that soon. Mom was confused about Batel's sweater, saying it was awful. I tried telling her "That's the whole point," but she just didn't get it. She was about ready to send her stuff separately and I had to convince her not to.

While we were working on that, Sam and Candace called up to invite Hal and I over if we didn't already have any plans for tonight, which we hadn't. For all our talk yesterday we didn't talk about what to do for New Years and before that was the tubing party. At the time I told em I'd have to confirm with Hal, which I was able to later. And while they had me on the phone they said Max would be invited as well. I didn't want to say anything about Robert, because of course he was still a sore subject with Sam, so I told them I'd pass along their invite.

Max was thrilled, I think she was feeling a bit lonely for the celebration without Robert. And Hal admitted he didn't usually do anything for New Years either so he hadn't even thought about it. What a mindless pair we make.

So yea, we got together after work, I let the parents knew I'd probably be home late, and we headed over to Candace's. It was just the five of us, nice and cozy and not too crowded.

Actually, it was kind of funny, we ended up pairing off, guys on the couch and girls in the kitchen. At first I hadn't thought much about it, because the three of us were talking about Robert. Max admitted he didn't like the idea of the tubing trip in the first place. But he wasn't about to let Max go alone with two other guys. Never mind that Hal's with me and Sam's Sam. If she was going to hook up with him, they'd have already been hooked up. So he came, and brought his bad attitude with him. She and I were delicate about what had happened that night because of Candace, only to find out she's very perceptive. She thought it was great though, and even encouraged Max to use tonight to try Sam again.

That was about when I realized that we had paired off, 'cause when we looked he and Hal were chatting happily in front of the TV. We suggested playing games, completely unprepared for it. There were a few decks of cards, but neither Max nor I knew of any games beyond Solitaire. Eventually we did find that Eli had an old copy of Clue. Sam admitted that it had been a favorite of Eli's when they were growing up, and he hadn't played it since. So we gathered the boys up and sat around the table, making sure to put Sam and Max next to each other.

Hal was fun, he spent the game acting like he was Prof. Plum, and every time we'd accuse the professor, he'd act like we were accusing him. It had us laughing so hard. Candace was the only one to have to learn how to play, though Max and I had only played it a few times ourselves. But once she picked it up, man she was cut throat. And when Sam figured it out she was furious as soon as he offered his solution saying she was just about to say that. She hadn't even let the rest of us try and disprove him, she just threw her cards up knowing it was the solution.

It was Mrs. White, with the candlestick, in the conservatory.

We did start playing another game, but then I realized how late it was and had to go. Max drove herself, so we left her hoping she might have a better chance to talk with Sam. But Hal was my ride so he needed to get me home.

I could stay up for a bit longer just to say I was awake at midnight, but I'm tired and my bedtime has long since passed. I'm going to be useless at work tomorrow as is.