Having lived in the same small town with parents active in their church, most everyone knew who the James kids were. Karen always had a hard time keep...ing track of all the people her parents knew. ‘I’m Joan Patterson. Tommy’s mother. You remember Tommy? You had such a crush on him when you were in high school.’ Karen drew in a breath at those words. She was back, and the old drama seemed to have waited for her return. Joan Patterson had gone to school with Karen’s parents. They were not close. I thought that was strange. Nice, but strange.”Dave countered, “The children will need more of my time, too.”Alice and Pam both laughed. Alice said, “Not right now, Doofus! They’ll need you when their little brains develop and they each have a consciousness, but for now they’re pretty much little vegetables that we pour mommy milk and formula into, and you know what comes out the other end. That’ll last about nine months to a year, and THEN you can take over.”Pam added in a teasing tone, “No.. I could tell this was getting her hot.Mickie looked over at Erin and smiled as if to say, "I can handle this."Then Velvet began to gently stroke Mickie's hair and all three women turned to look at me. I shrugged and tried to look non-committal.Erin joined the two women, sitting cross-legged behind Mickie, but her hands began to move over Mickie's arm and up her neck and began stoking her hair and face. Mickie's eyes were closed and I thought her body seemed relaxed, kind of going with the. When would you like to meet them?" Hmm ... say around November; I'd like the contracts signed for the beginning of February, at the latest.Robert spoke up. "Would you like us to do something as well over winter?" Alice, I don't know you that well yet and as for you, Sam, I know what you're capable of but I haven't got a line yet on your particular talents. How about the two of you joining me at the Camp office in town Saturday mornings for some general office work, filing, developing a brochure.