’ Her expression remained calm, as did her voice, but we could tell Lin was absolutely seething. Mistress took the list and handed it to Rafe. ‘Ta...ke care of this please. We’ll be at the bookstore.’ Rafe went into the grocers as we crossed the street to the local book emporium. We hadn’t even crossed half way before the open door was slammed shut, the lock audibly slid and the ‘Closed’ sign turned in the window. By now, a crowd of older women and young mothers was gathering along the sidewalks,. We lounged together, reading, listening to classical music.The phone rang. Ronni caught it. Her mom. "I'm going to get us some sandwiches, Dave," she said. She took off and came back with a platter of cold cuts. "Mom says potroast for supper. If I can cut it up for you." I'll let you do that." I made a good potroast, result of growing up in a Cajun kitchen. Rena outcooked me. The thought of that meal rested comfortably on my belly.Ronni and I enjoyed our sandwiches. Midafternoon the phone rang. She had gorgeous hazel-green eyes that were perfectly offset by her dirty blond hair. Her hair fell around her face and framed her small, perfect features. Her head rested on my shoulder, her breasts pressed against my side, her body struggling to be as close to me as possible. The fact that I’d known this girl less than 24 hours and that she’d chosen me were still astounding to me.“I’m a bit hung over,” I finally replied, “but I can’t imagine a better way to wake up.”Kari beamed at me and. I stared at him for a moment and then I said as forcefully as I could, "Get out of my way, Jamal. I didn't turn you in yesterday. But if you touch me again I will have you arrested."He smiled and came into the room. His friends came in after him and the last one in closed and locked the door. I noticed that their number had swollen by one today. There were eight of them. I recognized more of them now. I had been scanning their faces throughout the day and I knew that at least some of them were.