It's really, really late

I knew this would happen. Danny and Jennifer and the kids got in about 1 a.m. and we all had the best intentions of getting to bed right away, but we had to stay up and talk. It's after 3 now.

Peyton had her high school yearbook and that made me pull mine out so the kids could see what I looked like when I was 17. They laughed. I showed them some of my favorite people, several of whom have died already. Gary Cash, who died trying to save a kid who fell through the ice; Barry Chelotti, who had a heart attack ...

Trey can't wait to get his hands on Mike's guitar and amp and accessories. Jennifer, not so much. He showed us his game ball. He was playing catcher and he was injured but insisted in staying in the game. He was really, really proud.

I told Trey how much he reminds me of Mike when he was 8. He's smart and silly, just like Mike was; he's scrawny and scrappy, just like Mike. His best defense will always be his quick wit, just like Mike. I can only hope he will have the heart, strength and soul of Mike, his generosity and spirit, and the ability to be a perfect jackass.

I told Danny about James's dreams of Mike and how they're nearly identical to the ones I had of Ellen after she died. It's a little goosebump-inducing because I never tolf James about what Ellen said when she came to me in dreams, but his dreams of Mike are identical to the ones I had of Ellen. She would be there, helping me clean up after a party and someone would come in. I would introduce them to her and they would say, "But she's dead."

She would turn to me an smile and say. "Yes, I am. But I'm always here for you. I'm always here to help."

When James asked me if I had seen Mike, I told him Mike said before he died that he knew I'd be OK, but he thought James would need him.

James's dreams of Mike are exactly the same as mine of Ellen. They're talking and somebody comes in. James says, "Look. Mike's here."

The other person says "But he's dead." and Mike says, "Yes I am, but I'm always here for you. I'm always here to help."

Danny didn't seem all that surprised by it. He has seen Jennifer's 4-year-old brother in much the same way.

Go ahead, hum the "Twilight Zone" theme song.