The time spent with Samantha's parents was time well spent. I slept in until nearly 10:00 AM the following morning. This was certainly a change from my normal routine, as I had been getting up at 5:00 AM to workout with Andrew. On this vacation, I intended to relax and enjoy myself.

I was asked to jump in the shower and get ready to leave rather quickly, as Samantha's mother had booked a reservation at a local restaurant for brunch. I had become accustomed to eating French toast topped with fruit and whipped cream, and I did not deviate that morning. Along with some bacon, sausage and eggs, I was ready to tackle the rest of the day.

We returned to the house and for some reason I was still tired. I laid down to take a nap, and Samantha joined me. We slept from 2:00 - 5:00 PM, and awoke to the scent of a homemade meal. Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls from the oven. I could not have been happier.

My thoughts drifted to Oscar for a minute. He did not have the money to travel home to Charleston during the eight-day break, and part of me felt sorrow. He had been cooking for us each nite for seven weeks. And while we all pitched in for groceries, I wished at that moment that I could have paid for a plane ticket for Oscar to go home. Thankfully, he would have the company of Billy and Jeff in Burlington, which allayed my concern somewhat.

Everything that Samantha's mother cooked that evening was phenomenal. I had been used to the spicy flavours of the Deep South, and this hallmark, American holiday meal was as appealing as anything had ever been. My taste buds danced with delight.

That evening, after everyone had been in bed for some time, Samantha tip-toed over to my room. As she laid her head on my shoulder, I felt the rush of the emotion of our physical closeness clamor up and down my body. It had been some time since I had held her close, and I needed to feel her warmth and affection. She stayed with me until the early morning; crawling back into her bed at 5:00 AM. We each arose around 7:00 AM, and spent another day at her home. Tomorrow morning, we were leaving for Frostburg.