"Maybe a few days!"

  The chance to get out of the smog.  

  "One of the oldest Spanish families in California." 

  "But why?  We're so close to ending war!" 

  The three foot waves were steady rhythm.  Curling and pounding, curling and pounding.  "We're both pensive.  Whatever that means." 

  "That's why you're sitting here alone together?" 

  "LOOK, I don't know the whys of everything.  Or even anything really."  One of the girls looked hurt for a split second, then smiled.  "I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't feel abandoned."  I stood up.  "You're leaving me?!"  She looked at the horizon of the ocean.  "Yup, sailing the high seas!" 

  "She means we got gigs.  Nothing romantic about it." Another girl rubbed the muscles on her arm.  "We lug our shit around from town to town and

  "Take it from me," said the less depressed du jour of the pair, "She's about to launch a career." She gave the "I'm proud of you" look to the girl.  "Thanks for the amplifier!"  The girl said to everyone.  "And.  It's been nice.  Talking to other people." 

  "That's it?!" 

  "What else?" 

  "How 'bout a group hug?"  One of us asked.

  "How's about not?!"  

  "A prayer?" 

  "How about a group hug as a prayer?!"

  "It's not very mature to hate anybody, let alone your children."  

  "Like you should talk.  Having a bunch of diplomats act like five and six year olds and eat bitty bites of food." 

  "Tea sandwiches.  And they weren't acting.  There's a part of them, a part of all of us

  "We're ALL God's children."  

  The oldest one wielded, a litte unsteady on her inch and a half heels, vintage 1950's.  "Not you," she hissed at the wounded veteran.