I just let it wither on the vine. A year later she was kissing Jimmy Hoskins, and didn't know I was alive. I'd been regretting it for two decades, and... had been looking for another Ruth Ann ever since.I hadn't found one yet, but I had her grocery list. I was sure of that. I was going to find her if it killed me. And I wasn't going to make the same mistake I'd made with Ruth Ann.You may think I'm being too hard on myself. You're probably saying "Shit, man, you were only eight years old. Give. On the kitchen table. All dressed up with decidedly absolutely no place to go."Gladys, my God, what is it?!"They all came running into the kitchen. We all stared at each other silently for a long time. Shock. My quivering embarrassment soared. No words came to my lips. My limbs were dead. The ladies crowded into the doorway. All mouths agape. They were gorgeous, extremely kempt, very put together. Gladys, Gloria, Sharon, Trixie. Friends of Alexandra Gleckner. They were certainly wondering, who. Everyone else got up and got ready. Soon they mounted their horses and head out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For the next several days they traveled through the forest and the closer they got to the mountains, the more desolate the forest seemed to become. Lance and the outlaws took the opportunity to hunt while they traveled along. Pristine, along with Pixie and Grayson, searched for other food for the few vegetarians in the group. Soon, around midday of the third day of traveling in the forest, they. Three days later Rick sat at his desk looking at the ornate gold clockon the burnished paneled wood wall drumming his fingers on the desk.The clock chimed 2 pm. He waited until the echo of the chime died thencalled his secretary on the intercom. "That interview show up yetJanie?" he asked."No sir, not yet," she replied as Rick sat back a bit...miffed!Two days later, back at "Hardware-World" the staff was standing in themain check out area of the store. The manager, Mr. Jacobs stood infront.