February 18th, 2018

Today was one of those increasingly rare days where not a whole lot happens. It was kinda nice, except Hal was off doing things with Tim. He did pick me up in the morning for our workout, and stopped by for lunch. It's been a little over two weeks since I sent Efe's letter. So a response from him should be arriving soon. Knowing that I asked Hal if he could get the pictures that we'd taken of everyone printed out so I'd have them ready to send. At lunch he let me know where he'd taken them and gave me the ticket to pick them up. So I did that on the way home.

Mom was a little worried that I'd gotten home a bit late, but having run that chore reminded me I needed to get pictures of her and Dad too. So we had a little fun with that, and at Dad's expense when he got home.

So I've got some more pictures to have printed, and I've just been working on the next letter to send him. With how all the weirdness has been hitting the news, I've decided to start filling him in on anything he can confirm. Assuming he hasn't already heard about it. The tree and the riots, The Stag, though I left out DIA because we're really not sure what happened there. I didn't go into all the stuff we've been talking about during our conspiracy dinners, just what's shown up in the major news articles.

Of course I had to mention the town of Albany, WY. Which I did some checking, they haven't found anyone else yet. Of course there's all the other missing persons cases, and the found persons cases. I haven't been mentioning them, but every day it seems there's more.

I also let Efe know what's been going on with my little death. I didn't tell him exactly why I'd gone to Dr. Laurie in the first place, just that we'd taken some more scans, what was found, and what's to be done.

Not wanting to dwell on the bad, I mentioned meeting Efe's parents. But the big thing was going to the open night with Max and Candace and how much fun we'd had there.

I now have a short story of a letter to send, and I haven't even gotten a letter from him to respond to. At least I'm prepared this time.

February 8th, 2018

I had intended to ask Max about it, since it wasn't exactly hidden that Sam was spending the night with her during the eclipse. But it's been made official that she and Sam are something of an item tonight. I saw "something of" because they're not dating, Max admitted this to me separately. But like tonight, Sam invited her to join us for dinner. They sat together and acted like they were dating. Which is to say they were cute together. When Max was giving me a ride home, she was eager to brag about Sam's... endowments... shall I say. Which was a bit more than I wanted to hear, but it's never stopped her before.

Max said that he was happy to go through the motions, but that he couldn't commit. Which means mostly that while they're screwing around I guess Max can go find someone else to date. I'm not sure how I'd feel about that. But Max, and I love her, is a bit on the shallow side. As long as they're both okay with it though, I guess that's between them. And I do wish them both happiness.

All that said, everyone was curious about my dinner last night with Hal's parents. Candace was asking for details all day long. As happy as I am to go over things, there's only so much detail that can be wrung out of 'em. And then when Max joined us for dinner, she wanted the run down all over again.

Both of the girls though were happy to reassure me that not being in college wasn't a bad thing. Especially since I was trying to save up for college. Max was quick to remind me how expensive her own tuition was going to be.

On the other hand, Max was also eager to talk about what had happened on Tues with the vigilante. She'd done some digging of her own concerning his feet of strength, and had come to similar conclusions as me. Both of us were thinking that the guy would have to be as big as Sam, and when he noticed us staring at him he finally responded, "What?" Max asked, in her sweetest voice, "How much do you think you could push?"

His commission must be burying him, he wasn't at all aware of what's been on the news all day for the last two days. Even with us talking about it in front of him. I feel bad for the guy to be that busy, but he seems to enjoy it. When we'd finally brought him up to speed on what all was going on, Sam finally answered that he'd never really tested to find out his limits. That while he was sure he could move even a large vehicle while it was rolling, it was a much different thing to move a vehicle that was on it's top.

Candace's response was to invite him to join us at the gym and we could test him in the weight room. Sam didn't seem to like that idea very much. With a glance, Candace dropped it, and Sam said simply that he didn't have the time. I don't think Max noticed Sam's look, but I did. And it reminded me instantly of all the concerns I've had about him and Candace.

One of these days I'm going to have to start prying.

Anyway, as far as the news story's gone today's been more analysis of what happened on Tuesday. We know more now about the car thieves, which is all fine and good. But officials haven't been able to find the vigilante. They were even trying to bring in dogs today, to no result. For so little to have developed, it's amazing to me that they were able to spend so much time on it today.

But thinking of Hal, I asked Max if she'd heard anything more about Melia interviewing college students. She said she had actually, that Melia had been at the Women's college yesterday. Which is right next door to Hal's campus, and might just be as close as he'll get to her.

February 7th, 2018

What a night! I hate to be "that girl" who in this case eats so little. But I was so nervous that I didn't have an appetite. I hope they don't think I didn't like the food. It was a little heavier than what I usually eat, but Hal's dad knows how to grill. He, Laurence, smoked a tri-tip rubbed with pepper and spices. Hal's mom, Deborah, made scalloped potatoes, coleslaw, and we had peas to the side. And for dessert they served cherry pie a la mode. It was heaven.

They were kind and generous, and asked lots of questions. I wasn't sure how much Hal wanted them to know, so I let him describe how we got to know each other and started dating. He told them we'd been getting dinner each week and talking, he just didn't mention what we were talking about.

One of the things I was nervous about was them finding out I wasn't in college. But they were both supportive of me working at the museum while I saved up for college. "Especially with how expensive higher education is these days." Laurence works in a lab where they're trying to develop a bacteria delivery system to help deliver medicine to specific areas of the body. Deborah on the other hand is a science communicator. She's currently involved with helping to raise awareness of the local tribal heritage and history. I remember Hal mentioning that she was his guiding star towards his current major.

I didn't realize how quickly time had passed, and then it was time to go home. It was enjoyable, in a way I'd describe it as professional. Not uncomfortable, Hal's parents went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable. In fact, they didn't serve wine or beer knowing I couldn't drink any myself. They were good enough to not make a point of doing so either, I've had people do that to me before. But I saw that they had a small selection of wines, and there was beer in the 'fridge. I suspect a meal like that would typically have wine for them. I wouldn't have minded if they did, but it was thoughtful of them not to.

I just remember the times Hal's been here. We're so much more casual. Dad dressed down after work, Mom wearing her apron. We don't have alcohol, not just for me, but for Dad it's more religious conviction that he'd been raised with. Just very different cultures.

It's a good thing that I'd asked Candace to help me pick out an outfit. I wouldn't have known what to wear, but if I didn't have Candace I'da probably have shown up under dressed or prepared for an interview. Candace was able to pick out a nice skirt and blouse combo that was perfect. I'm always wearing slacks for work, and jeans when I'm getting around town. It was nice to wear a skirt for a change. Even Hal mentioned that he hadn't seen me in a skirt before. I might have to wear em more often. When the weather warms up.

Candace and I met at the gym again, without Hal of course. She was excited for me when she learned I'd be meeting his parents. She joined me while I got my hair done in addition to my other chores. And then came home with me to pick out my outfit. And then she wished me luck and said I'd have to tell her everything tomorrow.

Max was also supportive, over texts. She wanted pictures of every outfit I tried on and had comments for all of them. She was also keen to talk about the news report last night, and on every channel today. Even while Candace and I got lunch, they had different TV's on to different stations, both talking about the vigilante's car ride last night. I think that was one thing that struck me the most about Hal's parents. Their TV was off the entire time we were there. I don't think I've ever seen our TV off except when the power's out.

All in all it was a good day, a nice night.