Caydance's response was not at any time advisable. But, The Big Game between Stanford and Cal would take place in less than a month, only a few days before Griff would depart for Tokyo "Would it be ok if I sit on the Cal side during The Big Game?" she asked. "It's a Thanksgiving tradition."

"'NO'! he said, so forcefully that people in the restaurant stopped eating and looked at their table.

A waiter arrived with a tray loaded with shrimp and bread warm from the oven. From the bar, a bottle of champagne and two glasses appeared. Caydance looked across the table. ”Maurice Griffin McGuire, I will sit on your side", she told him. "When the Cal Band marches in playing Big C, I will feel as if I’m sitting in enemy territory. Then I will look down at you standing on the Stanford sidelines and know that I am sitting..." she considered saying 'where I have to sit', but what she said was "where I belong.”

"So far this season, your school's team has only won one game", he growled. But when he looked across the table at the woman who was sitting there, contemplated the shrimp, took a large sip of champagne, he was remarkably happy.