KNIVES AND HEARTSTRINGS

Greece?" my mother asked, her brow furrowed as she meticulously

into my carry-on. They were my absolute favorite-life's spicy little indulgence. "Mykon

him, two years as COO, and still he acted like taking a vacation was a betrayal. My father

think Greece is too far away. Why not Canada instead

"Mama, the gyros in Mykonos will blow

t Lays in my hands. "Do you really need to take those?" s

a little spice?" I slipped the b

s. "Just be careful, darling. I don't want you getting hur

as maddening. "Mama," I said, turning to face her. Her soft brown hair framed her face,

eed to worry. I've traveled solo for the past five years and

d I knew the waterwork

self. "You're acting like I'll wind up... I don't know..

sniffles tur

ed quickly. "Maybe just... ha

scalated. I forgot how

ghtly in my arms, though her sobs continued. Fina

land you in serious trouble," she warned,

t's kept the company in the Fortune 500,"

rotested, f

like a proper lady," she teased, a f

lease, just be careful," she said softly. "And smi

head. If that's what I'd look like

***********

me a beacon of authority. At six feet tall, with arresting brown eyes and a bald head that gleamed under the airport lights, he had

asked, arms crossed in disapproval. His deep voice c

tern gaze. "It's first cl

before he finally rel

er now. For a moment, the unshakable ti

y tone gentler. "I'll c

ther as he opened his arms.

up for a classmate in kindergarten, fists clenched and ready to defend.

call for Destination: Athe

ust taken the private jet," he mutt

ags. "Goodbye, Babas," I said, giving him

deep breath, I stepped forward, silently praying My