‘I mean who would go through that for seven weeks straight?’ One rejection after another. He had no fear either. Most guys were so ashamed at the ...free clinic that they shook when she gave them the clipboard. He was a cool as ice and chatted her up like they were at a dance club. Then she remembered his cold side and how if she disappointed him he’d have the state patrol on her. She believed him. That look in his eyes when she slapped him chilled her blood. She started the disk moving in an oval. Alison swirled the wine in her glass several times and tapped her foot somewhat nervously against the kitchen unit skirting board. Thoughts flashed through her mind, both pleasant and anxious ones. But, the more she thought about it, the more she felt a desire coming up in her to give it a go. Ok, Alison said in a decisive tone; I want to go; but only when you come too Aunt Becky, she informed her aunty. Of course darling, we go together and see what happens. Maybe we both get lucky, Aunt Becky. “Forget something?” I asked.“Just making sure you’re OK.”“I’m fine. Why?“You looked, I don’t know. Off.”“Probably just tired. Resetting the course. Even with Rick’s help, it took longer than I thought.”“OK, as long as you’re sure. Need anything?”“No, I’m good, thanks.”She bent down, and rather than kiss my cheek, she kissed my lips. It was a soft, gentle kiss. Fortunately, she braced herself on the back of the chair rather than on my shoulder, for which I was grateful. She was gone a minute,. He'd smiled as she started at the clang of the steel door between the dock and the cellar itself. He listened as she tried to control the panic in her breathing beneath the hood. She wasn't doing very well, as they hurried her forward the short snullfles and whimpers beneath the hood told of her increasing terror.Then they took her hood off. The cellar was lit dimly so it didn't take her long to get used to being able to see again. And what she saw did nothing to comfort her. There were the two.