She stood very still, feeling as if her empty apartment were staring at her. The kettle whistled and she went to assuage it, breathing peppermint stea...m and picturing an assortment of possible Adams and feeling an intense awareness of the back of her knees and the curve of her ears. V sat demurely at the kitchen table watching the steam rise from her ‘thats [sic]’ mug, waiting for the tea to steep. A is for Adam, who wasted no time but got busy sinning. She smiled. A is for Adam, she sang under. "Re-tag your target and pursue. Move!" Got'em on scope!" Jojo cried out as they poured down the newly scarred earth. Gavril knew he was going to regret the burning heat under his feet, but he had obligations to keep the fools from killing themselves. He charged after them.About fifteen meters down, his targeting comp pulled him right."It's heading towards that thicket of prickly shit!" Jojo cried out. A burst rifle fired. "Missed." Up, you dumb fuck!" Another burst."To the right, to the right!". I keptmy silence about the simultaneous birthdays as we drove to Marla'ssister's house, where she met with her twin sister Maureen and theirMother, for the weeklong trip to their great-aunt's ninetieth birthday.I was pleased to be staying home as the six-hour drive to NortonVirginia with the in-laws was not my idea of a pleasure voyage. Loadingthe minivan with Marla's bags I kissed her good bye and after seeingthem off, went to gather what I needed for my week alone. Part Two ? A new splendid. Now for the record, I am perfectly agreeable to playing vacation host. I don't want too many at a time, but one or two would be fine. Now as far as inviting your friends over for a ... uhhh ... what should we call it ... a sex vacation?"Diana spoke up as soon as I paused. "We were never going to invite anyone over here without your permission, let alone promise sexual favors. That is why we've broached the subject to begin with." My apologies. Maybe I was overreacting a little." We can.