“The damage to Ellen’s brain mostly affects how Ellen talks and understands speech. There are other problems, too. For instance, she has lost some... control over the movements of her hands, arms and legs.”Lizzie looked horrified. “No wonder you were so upset.”Jake felt uncomfortable. “I’m sorry you heard all that.”“Ellen is your mother. Of course you were upset.” She looked toward Ellen. “She can’t understand what I’m saying, can she?”“She has shown some improvement today. She might have gotten. Alfred flicks open the locks on a long, flat case. He lifts the lid. Barbara considers the uniform inside.“Did you have this ready before he left this time? Or did you just make it?” she asks.“Which would make you more comfortable?” Alfred asks.Barbara rolls her eyes and holds it up to look. At least Alfred has some taste. He kept this one the same as Barbara’s own design: a gray suit with blue boots and gloves. The bat is simple and yellow.She scowls. “Did you, uh, fix it?”“Yes, Ms. Gordon.. That was the start of something that leavened the lump of all our lives. She walked up onto the small stage like Mary Queen of Scots to her execution, and sang like an angel. Bruno had arranged for Danny, the manager of the club to act as sound engineer, and the microphone made her small voice fill the club. The applause was deafening, and she smiled and curtseyed like a trouper, before running off to the ladies to be convulsed by the dry heaves. I held her tight as she retched, and dried her. ” Rosie snarled again, but stepped back and allowed the new woman to lead Nina a few feet away.Nina was positioned in the middle of some of the hanging straps, and the woman started to unclip her chains. “We need to unlock you so we can get you hooked up properly.”“What will happen to me, Mistress?”“Well, we’re going to get you strapped into this swing, and then we’re going to find another victim, and the two of you will be providing some entertainment.”“I don’t think I understand Mistress..