As Arnaud left the room that morning, I let out a sigh, thinking, This sure is hard. I'd totally transfer the contents of my mind to him if I could, as I needed him to learn as quickly as possible. However, I couldn't rush the process, so I found myself in a tough spot.

  "How did it go?" Phildina asked in an easy-going tone.

  "He's learning alright, but I'm going to have to teach him a lot more if he's to start doing what I do," I expined.

  "I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but how do you formute your pns?" Phildina asked with curiosity in her eyes. "What's the thought process behind it? Or, does it come from some kind of divine inspiration?" I suddenly burst out into ughter at her remark, thinking to myself, She says some of the funniest things sometimes... "I'm being serious," She said, looking me straight in the eye. Oh, really?

  "I also want to know how you come up with your strategies," came another voice that I happened to recognize.

  "Lucia, you too?" I asked in surprise as she sat to my left while Phildina occupied my right. Is it just me or is the atmosphere between them getting tenser tely? I didn't like where this was going, so I mentally prepared myself, deciding then and there that I would turn our time together into a bonding activity. Nevertheless, I happened to recall the sight of a chubby old man in a suit pying polo with his friends at his favorite bar. He turned and said to an eight-year-old me,

  "Never reveal your hand, Dougs." How could I have forgotten? I'm so sorry, Uncle.

  "Daphne, are you okay? You look down all of a sudden," Phildina asked with a concerned look.

  "If there's anything on your mind, you can tell us," Lucia added with a simir look.

  "Oh, uh, I just remembered— Sorry, I don't think I'm feeling too well," I fibbed as I got up from my seat and went straight to my room. As I y on my bed, a crushing sense of loss overwhelmed me as I sifted through my memories of him. I thought I had gotten over it, but the tears that streaked down my cheeks told another story as I quietly sobbed in my room. My uncle was the only man I ever looked upon as a father. He was extremely kind to me and taught me everything he knew. As I grew up, I came to realize his true intentions, but that did not in any way diminish the love I had for him, as his wisdom had gotten me through countless difficult situations. How could I have forgotten? I asked myself again as I slowly sat up on my bed.

  "Haa," I sighed deeply, thinking, I have to get my act together! You're a commander now! I spped my cheeks and wore the biggest, brightest smile I could muster on my face. Cheer up, man! Body over mind! It had worked wonders for me in the past, but things were different this time.

  "Daphne, can I come in?" It was Phildina. A part of me didn't want to be seen like this while another part felt like I couldn't tough this out on my own like I usually did. This internal division led to hesitation, but the tter part eventually won.

  "Yes," I answered, and she opened the door. Seeing my red, swollen eyes, she quickly closed the door behind her and locked it. Thank you, Phildina, I wouldn't anyone else to see me like this. Then, she opened her arms wide with a motherly smile, and I ran into her soft embrace.

  "It's okay. Just let it all out," She spoke slowly, but her words were full of comfort and love. "I'm here for you. The party is here for you. You can talk to us if anything is troubling you." My quiet sobs soon turned to loud cries that continued until I came to fall asleep in her warm hug, thinking, Thank you, Phildina, for all you do for me.