Marcie sees a white feather on the pavement beside her car door. She remembers seeing another one — years ago.

It's her freshman year at university. Jim, a popular senior who drives a Beemer coupe, asks her out for dinner. She's thrilled.

Her roommate helps her with her hair, makeup and the perfect outfit — sexy and sophisticated.

Jim picks her up; they start with Happy Hour cocktails.

"What'll you have, Marcie?" Jim asks, leaning in close.

After a panicked beat, she blurts, "A Manhattan." He orders for her. He's over twenty-one, so nobody checks her ID. Anyway, with a silver sweater and leather skirt, she's almost certain she looks at least twenty-one.

Two drinks in, they move to the dining room. She feels a bit woozy; skipping lunch was a mistake.

Wine and dinner are delicious, she thinks. And Jim's so cosmopolitan. The bottle's empty, as are both wine glasses when they leave.

"Come back to my place for a drink?" Jim asks, holding the door.

That's when she sees it — a white feather on the pavement. An egret feather? An omen?

"Jim," she says. "I'm going back inside and calling my brother. We've had too much to drink."

Every decision you make reflects your evaluation of who you are."– Marianne Williamson