"As I walked to class many of the kids smiled at me and clapped as Iwent by, but the best was when I saw Jeff in the hallway. He walked upto me, and w...ithout a word, pulled me into his arms and kissed me!"This is my girl!" he said as some kids looked on.I was smiling at his very uncharacteristic move, and stood next tohim, his arm firmly around my shoulders."Any questions?" he asked."Yah," a voice from the back of the crowd said."How come we don't get a chance?" His answer surprised Emily to. Susan drove along the state highway out and up into the mountains above their city. The children were quiet in anticipation of visiting Aunt Jenny and Uncle Joe. Jenny and Joe lived in their mountain home far from neighbors, but with, horses, dogs and cats to play with. Alongside their log house was a small meandering steam flowing from shaded pool to shaded pool in the late summer's heat. Remote from other children, they still had plenty of adventures to occupy their time. Jenny and Joe could. As she reached the entryway to the outside, she paused near his dresser, upon which sat the various items he used for personal grooming, including the small brush he used for his beard.But unlike many such mornings, she nudged the brush with her elbow and let it clatter to the floor.Behind her, the Healer snorted and shifted in bed just as Yanna walked out.Yanna walked briskly along the path, back to the same routine she did every morning that she chose to do this. Today would have been ideal. "Vick, don't worry about the gun. It's just for show. Greg didn't pay him enough to risk a murder rap." Shut the fuck up, asshole!" the leader screamed, "or I'll..." Or you'll what?" Cal taunted the leader. "Greg wants me crippled, not dead, so whatcha gonna do if I just walk up and take your toy and use it on the four of you?" Cal did not feel that brave at all, but he had been taught over and over that his words and his attitudes were as powerful as any weapons he had."Vick, get everybody.