The mountain trees that grew between the pines were a brilliant blaze of fall colors, like fire against the emerald green of the pines, firs and pruces. And it was, as I'd told myself long ago, the year's last passionate love affair before it grew old and died from the frosty bite of winter.

For when Iwaltzed with Chris, I'd made him someone else.

We're going to change. We're going to throw out what's worse in usand keep what's best. But come hell or high water, we three will sticktogether, all for one, one for all. We're going to grow, Cathy,physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not only that, we're going toreach the goals we've set for ourselves. I'll be the best damneddoctor the world's ever known and you will make Pavlova seem like anawkward country girl.

Where was that fragile, golden-fair Dresden doll I used to be? Gone.Gone like porcelain turned into steel-made into someone who wouldalways get what she wanted, no matter who or what stood in her way.

I don't know if it's for the better, but I do know people aren't static. We all change from day to day.