I was more than ready.It had been a little over three weeks since Lois and I had last made love. Lois had seemed to be going through a moody period of... some sort. It had been nothing but "I'm too tired" or "I've got a headache" or "I've had a bad day at work and my feet and back are killing me."After a bit Ralph said that he needed to be going and I walked him to the door and said goodbye. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was only eight so I got another beer and settled back down in front. .." Bullshit," Arlene whipped out, stretching things a bit. "I barely beat you on some of our tests..." And you slow down to wait for me to finish," Ann inserted."You always say that, and..."Ann couldn't help but grin a little. "And it's true." Is not. But what's that got to do with all the tears, and why bring up the handmaiden thing?" But Arlene's mind was already weighing things that had happened lately, and she was beginning to worry. She took a breath, almost saying she didn't need or want. Thousands surely. I set it down on the glass and let the water poor over the sugar, quicker than I normally would have. A glance at the couch showed me that Tim was out. Dribble down his chin out. Sitting next to him Randal kept talking, but I’m not sure he was any moreawake than Tim. In fact I’m pretty sure he was just too slammed to know to stop talking while asleep. The other guests were either in a similar state or gone. Finishing my glass I went to find Erica, I wanted a conversation, I. Thechanged can feel the breeze of the flapping, quelling the flames where itpasses. It brings peace. It lets you know who you are."In my heart, I felt triumph mixed with remorse. I had won, but for somereason victory was unappetizing. Something would never be the same,something I couldn't quite place. It wasn't good or bad, but importantenough to make me wonder if this was right. Yet part of me knew this wasfor the best, that I should just keep going. I wasn't sure what to make ofit all. Such a.