They were also Susie's age of14. Susie smiled as she came up to me and gave me a big hug, apologizingfor knocking me off the ladder and promising to t...ake good care of mewhile I recovered. She had a huge devilish grin on her face as she saidthat. She must have seen the bulk under my scrubs, squealing, "He'swearing diapers, does that mean I have to change him?", she asked my wifewhile her girlfriends giggled at the thought. My wife explained that Ihad very little muscle control and that I was. I answered the doorbell and Betty was there smiling broadly. I invited her in. The women exchanged greetings, though Karen didn't get up.Betty lifted a piece of paper and shook it at us."I begged, wheedled and called in favors and got in to see our judge. He signed the decree. If you guys are still interested, you can get married now."Alright, with this notice it wasn't going to be the big wedding that Karen, like almost every other girl, had dreamed of. We could do that later. But, it would be. They all take a deep breath, then they stand still while they watch an old and hated enemy come charging at them at full speed. It sounds like an old steam express train racing through the station when the fire-front races toward them.It hits the damp crops in front of them and it staggers while it slows down. Al puts the RFS radio to his lips, “All tankers, hit it hard.”Twelve kilometres of road comes alive with the hoses on the tanker trucks working on the fire. Some are concentrated and. Just wait for a minute and 'ear me out."Ann didn't withdraw her arm but she didn't open her hand either. Shelooked back at Burt as he slowly approached."Don't come any closer! I'll drop it!"Burt lifted his hand. "I won't miss. I swear. All I want is for you tolisten for a minute or two - just hear what I ave to say."She took his measure; saw the fear and nervousness in his quivering eyes,and then a calm came over her as she remembered who she was now; who hewas. She straightened, lowering the.