She reaches the clearing where the giant rose bush grows. A thousand years old or more, it is said. Daddy would always bury two silver coins in the ea...rth somewhere around. He said it was to pay the faieries for their roses and so long as too many weren’t plucked, they would be left in peace. Gretta has no time for that. Without a care, she pulls a branch down. As soon as the stem breaks she feels the tight grasp of a hand around her slender wrist. Feels, but does not see. The hand is there, she. This was the moment for her. If he followed, great, she was in control. If not, nothing lost, for her. For him a sexual experience was gone forever. Thomas took a moment to realize what was happening and quickly stood up, almost knocking over his chair and quickly stepped up behind her. Shelia kept walking and quickly approached the exit. At the door she looked back and found Tom right behind her. ‘Perfect!’, she thought, and continued out the double doors to her car. Tom followed behind her. Up in the master bedroom, which was roomy, I asked Marilyn, “What do you think?”“I like it, but what about your leg?”“Unless it gets really bad, I’ll be fine. I wouldn’t want to live here forever, but we can hack it until we get something else,” I answered.Marilyn asked, “How long will that be?”I shrugged. I had never built in Maryland before, but I had built homes for customers in New York. “Probably a year. Let’s ask. Could you see yourself living here?”She nodded. “Yes, at least until we. ' She smiled warmly and we embraced and kissed. 'I used lip balm instead because I don't want lipstick on you face and wherever.' 'I just love your minimal make up. Thank you for doing that for me. Now let's go for brunch.' 'Ok. Take me to MacDonald for old times sake. You loved their Playland when you were small. I want to imagine you in there again.' Not having been there for much more than a decade, we didn't find Playland nor the old decor. I smiled, 'times have changed and so have we,.