“Naw, you sit in the back. Sarah and I will be up front and you can rest,” I directed as I slipped behind the wheel. When we pulled out of the ram...p we were hit by the pounding rain. It was really coming down in sheets as we headed down the crosstown to pick up I-35 north to Duluth. My phone rang and I saw it was my Mom. “Hi Mom,” I said in my perkiest voice. “No, not at all, it’s just raining a little bit that’s all. No Mom, we are fine. We will be there in three hours - by 10:00 p.m. for sure!. What if he found out or saw pictures of his mother carrying out lewd acts with his buddies. She just couldn't do it there and then, like a stripper in a back street bar.'I can't. You know I can't. I can't just stand here and perform for you. I've never done that for anyone, not even my husband, and I'm not going to start now!' There, she was being firm and calling the shots. Sure, she had tantalized James and Jon by letting them see up her skirt back home, and eventually having her clothes. " Yes, dear." Joanne could always talk to her mom. But before Joanne couldask what she wanted to all sorts of troubling things went throughAdelaide's head. She was worried that Joanne had decided to marry Stevenand they were engaged. Then she worried that it was worse than that,Joanne might be pregnant. The fear started to show on Adelaide's face.Joanne wasn't looking directly at her so she didn't see it."Mom," she repeated, "I want you to come to family therapy with me andSteven. I want. Thinking that sounded like fun, he took a step forward. However, the oni had been watching him and quickly stood up, moving out of reach. “Finish your food and tour,” she said picking up the bottle and cup before laying on the bed, “growling bellies can ruin the mood almost as fast as a bunch of obnoxious knights.” Pouring the contents of the bottle into the small cup she raised it up as if making a toast. “I’m going to enjoy some sake while you explore.”“Sake?”“Kind of like your corn whiskey.