I smiled at him, closed my legs and swung on around into the seat.During the drive Jennie and I gossiped about kids at school while Mr. and Mrs. White... talked about slightly more serious subjects. The drive went by quickly and before too long we were at the park. Mr. White parked the car in the parking lot at the entrance to the preserve and we all began walking on the trails through the tall, shady trees. We walked for almost an hour, enjoying the sounds and glimpses of the many different kinds. More than once, Cal had heard Laura retort "If you've got it, flaunt it." Elaine had it, too. She was just lacking Laura's exhibitionist streak.Laura's crotch was not quite bare, but close. That was no surprise, since the string bikini she had worn the last time at the Banners' pool just managed to cover her labia. Any surrounding hair would have stuck out the sides. In fact, Cal vividly remembered the time when Laura had been sitting at the patio table, chatting and drinking. Her legs had been. He turns you on, he's great in bed — you told me that. And he's been cool at work — he hasn't told anyone. I don't understand why you want to stop seeing him."Jen frowned at what her husband had just said. "Because I shouldn't be 'seeing anyone' except you! You're my husband. You don't want me to just screw Steve. You want me to date him, have a relationship with him! Don't you see that that's not a good idea? Don't you see the risk? If I date Steve — if I have a relationship with him — I might. I said that I knew many — perhaps all — of them were worried about phylloxera. And I said they were right to be. I told a bit of the history in 19th century France and the US. I mentioned that while people thought Australia was "immune," but that the first blight had been identified near Geelong in 1875, and the recently infestation had been detected in Victoria in 2000 and in NSW and South Australia by last year. I spoke of my brother's fears. "What can we do?" came a voice."Be vigilant. Be.