It really wasn't hard to tell.I had a couple of months to go on my tour of duty when I got basically a 'Dear John' letter from Julie. She told me she ...hadn't written me because she was ashamed. She had met a guy at college and had fallen in love with him. She went on and on apologizing to me but the bottom line was the same. She had dumped me.I really felt bad. That night I kept remembering over and over what my sister had told me. She was right, most childhood love affairs end up just being. "On the other hand," my mistress said, "I'm partly to blame. I didn'tgive you detailed instructions on how to behave to Mr. Steele. But it'smostly your fault."How could it be my fault that Mr. Steele kissed me and beat me? Shedidn't give me time to protest."So, Lisa, I want you to face Mr. Steele. Curtsy, kneel before him,apologize very humbly for disobeying him, and promise never to do itagain. If he accepts your apology, you may rise, thank him humbly andcurtsy to him again. As you'll see,. I was annoyed at myself and quickly washed my hands and glared at my reflection in the mirror. No! Fuck it! I wouldn’t fix my lipstick or fuss with my hair. I’d go back upstairs and if you weren’t there well bad luck! I’d just go. I’m not going to hang around waiting for you.I grabbed up my bag and pushed open the door. My head was down and I wasn’t looking as I started along the hallway back towards the bar.Over the clicking of my heels on the floorboards, I registered another sound just. We were the contradiction to the rule, of course. In truth, I didn’t actually know what he did as I’d never thought to ask, and his cursory air had made it clear from the outset what I was going to be to him - which was pretty much everything I’d hoped for and wanted.I’m not even sure we were really there for dinner, though he insisted the burgers were the best for ten blocks. I asked him to order for me, to choose whatever he wanted me to eat.His blue eyes sparkled as I pressed the menu back.