Now listen, no smart comments, okay?" Me?" Yeah."Lasco wondered what she was talking about until she turned away from him again, bending at the waist ...and walking backwards. Her supple body bent double easily, and her fingers lifted small quantities of salt from the floor, closing the various paths as she crossed them. Lasco had quite an eyeful, and was appreciatively silent until she had backed her way into the circle. As Lucilla got close, she had started chanting something Lasco couldn't. "It's time to end this bullshit, David, once and for all!"As they walked in the backyard, David's heart sank. In the middle of theyard, a small pile of clothes was waiting for the father and son. Darla's clothes..."No, Dad..." David said weakly, his eyesight blurring as he realizedwhat his father intended to do."Yes, David." His father said; a satisfied smile on his face. "It ends,right here, right now. After this you are going to be a model son, doyou understand me?"Darla's meager wardrobe was. In a way her puberty brought her mother and herself even more together as they shared secrets and confessions that she would not share with anyone else. And now, as she looked at the flames of the Mirage’s volcano spread across the water she wondered where that intimacy had disappeared to. It had been a long time, too long, since she had a long conversation with her mother. Her mother was never happy with her choice of leaving school to become a showgirl. The last time they had talked was when. "Tell you what,college boy," she said. "Why don't I pay the bill tonight, and then wecan go back to my place and I'll show you."_________________________________________"This place is huge!" James laughed, excitedly.Victoria walked James around her expansive apartment. She showed himher various electronics, the tall ceilings, the modern decorations, andJames gushed earnestly over everything. Victoria was prepared to beself-conscious - prepared to feel bashful and guilty over her luxuriesand.