April, 2001

“Baby, over here!”

Forgetting for a minute that I’m in Oakland and there are about twenty people in a five foot radius that would have zero problem jacking my car, motor still running, I jump out of it and attack Leo’s face.

“I missed you so much!”

“Not as much as I’ve missed you.” Pointing to the rolling cart behind him, “Is that cottage of yours prepared to handle this last load?”

Clinging to him tightly, I whisper, “You mean…that cottage of ours.”

After getting my final ear-full from...