”There was a rift of laughter around the table at my understatement and some mild applause. I hadn’t meant the sarcasm, but realized what I’d sa...id could be interpreted that way. After a pause, I went on.“But not quite a year ago, I met Elsa. My life changed in the span of a few minutes of idle chat at a party Andy, Margo, and Sheila took me to. You see, I had a huge hole in my life and I didn’t know it. When I realized it, I discovered I was willing to pay a premium to fill it, but that sounds. ”“Special fun?” I queried, archly, guessing what she must mean.Sue returned the arch look.“He has got a good way with his tongue… and I can assure you, he's improving all thetime!”We giggled together like naughty schoolgirls.“Do you… you know… still sleep with him?”Sue shook her head.“He shares my bedroom, but not my bed. I have a large dog-basket at the foot in which hecan curl up under an old blanket. It is convenient having him on call should I wake upand need something during the night.”“So. Besides being handsome, he’s the captain of the basketball team, he’s on the baseball and football teams too. Ibet he’s dating one of the cheerleaders. What could you possibly think he would have in common with me?’ This had been the ritual for the past three years and now as the kids entered their senior year of high school nothing would change. Kellie secretly had a crush on Noah for the past six years, although her friends only knew about the last three. She took up music and was nominated. He glanced over at the kitchen trash can filled with many empty frozen food containers… could it really be a week’s worth, he wondered. His gaze continued over to the microwave over and embarrassed, he knew at the very least, he’d have to wait until the woman was off the phone before he could make a decision on what to do. He sighed and put the dish he carried onto the table, giving up the idea of eating any dinner at the house. ‘Kevin… I mean, excuse me. Here’s your phone.’ It was the.