"I looked around the room. I could just go right into fucking them, but I didn't want to do that, nor do I like doing that. Going right into fucking a...lways makes the sex seem mechanical and uninteresting. I had to get them more ready for it, make them horny enough to just take me, and I had to get myself ready to do whatever they thought of. My eyes landed on the armoire that held the TV. I had seen a small clock radio on the nightstand, but that wouldn't do. I needed a c.d. player. I walked. Mom had put a pot roast in the slow cooker. Olivia’s family of five and mine of four had to be a little intimidating to her. Her eyes went wide and I thought for a moment she’d bolt. Dad went on. “Are you a coach? A mentor? A therapist? A girlfriend?”“I ... uh ... No ... I mean, I think Jacob has real potential as a distance runner. Maybe not marathons but at least 10k and maybe half-marathon,” she got out. “I was one of the physical therapists when Jacob was in the hospital. I thought he’d. ‘How did you get me on this flight?’ she asked. ‘You did show them not my own passport.’ He lifted her head towards him and said:’No Theresa Orlova but as my wife you are allowed to follow your husband who was doing aidwork in Africa,’ and kissed her. ‘What? How?’ ‘Remember you signed a document at the embassy? Did they not tell you always to read papers.’ He was now really enjoying the prank. Then turning serious said ‘It was the only way I could get you out poppet. You can divorce me anytime. Within her mind, she was chanting “Open, open, open, open.” Then in the pause as the machine moved for the next stroke, she told herself, “It will hurt you but will not harm you.”“Swish. Snap!”This time her response was a loud grunt. The crowd still stomped and cheered.“Swish. Snap!”“Hurt but not harm...”“Swish. Snap!”“Hurt but not harm...”“Swish. Snap!”“Hurt but not harm...”“Swish. Snap!”Missy’s eyes flew wide open, but not in pain... in surprise. The cane landing across her ass almost didn’t.