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"No Frances told ed We stood down by the dock late one afternoon, just before the sun set, and she said-- I'll never forget it because of how she put it-- she said 'We've gone and done it up good Jake' Of course I didn't knohat she meant

"'What's that mean Frances?' I asked

''I've got a cake in my oven' she said That's what she said Some cake 'Too much unbridled passion' she added 'passion that makes you throw caution to the wind'

"I was stunned I just stood there playing with a stick in the water and watching the ripples and thinking What's going to be?

"'Of course on't see each other that way anymore Jake I'm sorry I'm sorry I needed you so much' she told me and walked away

"I felt like everything had evaporated insideover the water, lift me like a kite, and blow me over the trees

"I guess in a way it did because soon after that I joined the navy"

He sat there silently, staring down at his plate and his elass and then he closed his eyes

"I never loved anyone but Frances" he continued "I couldn't

It was like I was given just enough love fuel for one woman and I used it all on her I returned to work for her just so I could be around her

"Sometimes, when I drove her places I'd pretend I wasn't her hired driver I'd i her somewhere just the way any husband would take his wife soined I was like any other husband and father"

Everyone spends tiht Everyone

"Does Victoria have any idea? Did

Grandmother Hudson ever tell her?"

"Oh no no" Jake said quickly "But that's why I wanted you to know, to have this inforainst the wall, you can fling it at her and I'll be there to verify it