Not anymore. I can’t do this anymore. But was it too late? Could Gene want her? Love me? The way he’d treated her was enough for her to hope. She ...started humming again, and thought of how it would feel if he kissed her. You’re so fucking special.I wish I was special. Gene listened to her hum, rapt in the intimacy of Michele’s movements. The tone had changed from the longing of Dorothy’s daydream to something darker, sadder. Michele seemed to be caressing herself as she smoothed the sudsy cloth. I felt bad taking him away from her, so we tried to limit our daytime use of Walter to those times when she was napping — something she did frequently as she was still very easily tired out from her exercises. She was making remarkable progress physically, though, and the doctors were well pleased with her strength, stamina, and commitment to her recovery. In fact, her lead therapist had started enforcing mandatory rest when she started showing signs of being a little too aggressive in her. The next day, the twenty-five survivors from the fairy force were coweringon their knees before their Queen. "You abandoned your sisters," shesaid. "You left my niece Elaine and her lieutenants to their fate. Youdeserted your comrades-in-arms when you should have died next to them.Does that about sum it up?" They said nothing and kept their heads down. "You'vedispleased me, and you know very well the penalty for displeasing me.Guards!" The guards marched up, bound the girls' hands behind them,. "We walked to the grove holding hands and she told me about the morning."Anyway, one of the exhaust systems failed and the smell entered the lab,nothing toxic but stinky." Who was that I saw you with as you came outside?" Hannah's girlfriend Kate. I guess you've not met Kate huh?" No. She was dressed to the nines. I recall that you'd said she was areal looker."We sat on the blanket while she lunched. I simply watched her. She seemeddistracted so I was quiet."Hannah has been away for a few days.