I flinched away from it, and it disappeared. "Here," Alex said reassuringly from somewhere above me. Only now I could hear the note of menace hid...den beneath his low, quiet voice. "Alex..." I whispered. "What are you doing." It wasn't really a question. I knew what was happening. His house was on the fields, far from where's I'd been walking. Here in the secluded white mansion, far from the city...No one would hear me scream... I could feel his breath warm and sweet with the aroma. "Well, when would you want to draw me?" This afternoon, if we can. The show is in two weeks and I'm trying to add to my portfolio. Um, just go shower and blow dry your hair while I get my stuff out and get things set up."I came back to her room about twenty minutes later wearing a pair of shorts, my chest bare, after all they seemed to like me that way, and I guess I was posing after all.Her door was open and as I walked in, Sharon said, "Oh, good, just perfect. Mel, you are nice. Come over. I hadn’t seen her in forever, but I did know her. She was Claire’s best friend from her school days: kind of the counterpoint to my relationship, my past relationship, with Rodney Pollard. I remembered Jenna being a nice person.I know my face must’ve shown my embarrassment. “Oh, Claire, I’m sorry. I didn’t know, didn’t think. I should’ve called,” I said. I really was sorry. And, I hadn’t thought or considered or anything. I’d just come by.“Jenna, nice to see you. You look good,” I said. I was. A few moments later the tingling and sensitivitystopped. She then worked the ointment into his left breast in the sameway. Once she was finished she buttoned the front of his robe and lethim get some sleep."Is it okay if I take tomorrow off Ms. Lawrence?" Tim asked. "I justwant to get out of here for a while if that's okay?" he asked."Well, you've been working hard and you've been coming along well andhave been the perfect student. I think we can allow a day off," Ms.Lawrence agreed."Maybe.