I didn't want to think about what was ahead of me as I reached the open door. I was dreading the confrontation I was about to have with Master Yoda, dreading the discussion of what a proper pregnant padawan is supposed to do.  Or more importantly, what I wasn't supposed to do.
 
"Hurry you will," he called from the room.  I quickened my pace to face him and the door closed behind me.  Without preamble he looked at me and stated, "Change him you cannot."
 
"What?"
 
"Too far has he gone down the Dark Path.  Reach him you can not without risking yourself and your child."
 
"Master Yoda, I'm not sure if that's what I'm trying to do."
 
"Know this I do. Unsure was I if you did.  Dangerous this is, more dangerous than you know."
 
"Master, I'm afraid it's worse than that.  I think--"
 
"That falling in love you are?  Careful you must be.  Too soon to tell this is.  Influenced by a hormonal imbalance you are, in control you are not."
 
"I know all this, but it doesn't change anything.  I feel so vulnerable, and he makes me feel so safe."
 
"Brought together you should never have been.  Vader is from another time than yours--warn you I would have, but I could not know!"
 
I was taken aback by his sudden bursts of correct grammar.  It was an indication of how strongly he felt about my situation and how he was blaming himself for it.  "Master, I can not change how I feel."
 
"Give yourself time you must.  Remember I care you should.  Think before you act you should.  Wait and meditate you will."
 
"It seems like meditating is all I do these days, I don't know how much good that will do Master."
 
"These doubts you have, dangerous they can be.  Believe in yourself you must Tam, for believe in you I do."  He shook his head and spread his hands, unsure of what more to say.  His eyes landed on an envelope and he handed it to me.  "Arrived for you this did from Rent-A-Jedi."
 
I opened it carefully, wondering what it could be.
 
"You are cordially invited to a Rent-a-Jedi Thanksgiving. Dress is nice casual to semi-formal and
all guests are asked to please bring a food dish to contribute to the festivities. And please, no alcohol
is to be brought into the complex.

Sincerely,

Ziggy, president of Rent-a-Jedi, Inc."

"Thanksgiving?  Do you know anything about this Master?"
 
"Tell you I will when find out I do.  Invited am I, go with you I shall. Bring juice and water for us alone we will, to avoid anything that will tempt us.  Yes?"
 
"But Ziggy said no alcohol-" I broke off, remembering what else had been introduced to the punch.  "Yes Master Yoda," I conceeded with a smile.
 
Silence came over us, and with it came an air of seriousness.  I began thinking of who else would be at this Thanksgiving thing.  How would I face Vader with Master Yoda hovering over me like an over-protective father?
 
"Find your balance you must.  Like this I do not, but faith in you I have. Stand aside I will while this decision you face.  One thing I ask, seek him out you must not until this Thanksgiving party.  Do not underestimate the Dark Side or Vader's fate you will suffer," he warned finally and left while I sat contemplating the invitation in my hands.