Back at Duke's, we had to struggle to get both bikes up in Charlie's truck. We got them loaded without scratching them or the truck. As I was shaking ...hands with Duke, I asked, "I'd like to come out to help you around the place, if you don't mind. I might be able to bring some kids that would also like to help you out. One good turn deserves another, Duke. Would you welcome some help?"The old man was all smiles, "Write down my telephone number and call me when you can come. I'll plan some things. "I've only had a few dealings with him. He's actually been working away a lot for the last couple of years. But he always came in to the office to check on things and keep up to date with its setup when he was home, and I always seemed to be the one who was sent to assist him." Peter was thinking out loud and Miranda couldn't resist asking."By his request or just coincidence?" Coincidence I think..." He frowned a little. "I can't think why he would have asked for me personally." Well that's. " Sounds like a plan!" Jacqueline enthused.We cleared the table and said goodbye to Jacqueline. I put Mom to bedand said goodnight to Marilyn. "We should run over to the mall tomorrowto get you a tennis outfit, Shawn, if you have time." She handed me apackage of makeup wipes and said, "Don't forget to take off your makeupand do your acne cleanse before you go to sleep, little one."She also handed me a pink bottle that said, Sweet Softness, for handwashing all fine lingerie, and said, "You. "I don't even know if they have such a thing as lesbians in Japan." She concluded.Mariko's eyes suddenly lit up at the word lesbian. Her grip grew stronger and she seemed to pull Amanda closer."Les-bins." She repeated, again looking deep into Amanda's blue eyes.A confused look covered Amanda's face. Was Mariko asking if she was a lesbian? Had some member of the delegation made a remark identifying her as one? Or was Mariko trying to say that she too was a lesbian?The tall blonde didn't have a.