After dinner, we retreated home for the evening. Samantha and I watched television for a bit, and then it was time to retire.

It was only 10:00 PM when I crawled into bed, but I was still wide awake at 3:00 AM. "Did I really have a strong reservation about 'till death do us  part' ", I thought? The ceiling seemed to be staring back at me as I was it. but no answers came.

I managed to sleep from about 3:00 AM to 7:30 AM. Samantha and I had one more day to spend in Frostburg, and then it would be back to Boston and Burlington. The final day was spent mostly in relaxation. I took Samantha to Main Street Books and we each selected a novel to read. It had been quite some time since I had read for pleasure, and we each read for three hours that afternoon.

In the evening, we took a short stroll. The winter weather in Frostburg was quite similar to that of Massachusetts and Vermont. I was no stranger to harsh winters growing up. Despite the cold and wintery mix below our feet, we walked and talked for about thirty minutes. Returning home, it was time for a hot shower, some hot chocolate and a warm bed.

Samantha went to bed before I did that evening, and I stayed up to chat with Dad. We talked about nothing specific. Generally, he wanted to know what school was like, how I was getting along with my new friends, and my personal financial situation. I was still in the "black", and that is what mattered. My father once again offered help if I needed it.

As I gazed down into an empty glass of scotch, I wandered what was truly going on inside my head. I had never given a second thought to my commitment to Samantha prior to Dad's question. In no way was he wrong in asking; as it was out of general concern for my welfare. However, the question continued to be a point of contention and confusion in my mind. I would have to tackle this mountain, also; in Vermont.