" I'm sure you'll get far better treatment with Eric than you will in prison," Ernie commented, "And you won't have a criminal record afterwards. In a...ny case the contract is only for two months whereas I suspect your prison term would be very much longer especially when the judge sees the state of your mother's face. Afterwards I'm sure Eric will help you find a job." Eventually we came and sat in my kitchen with May for the signing and witnessing of the contract. It was only later that I found. ”She and her friend walked up.“Tracy, this is my friend Mike and my friend Angie. Angie, Mike, this is Tracy and I’m sorry, I forgot your friend’s name.”“Theresa,” the other girl said.“Theresa,” Pete said. “Sorry.”We chatted a bit before Angie and I moved on to talk with Clarissa who was talking with three girls I recognized but didn’t know. She introduced them as Valerie, Tess, and Gina. They were also Freshmen.“How did Freshmen get into Rickenbacker?” Angie asked.“They needed more girls to. What did she have? Her talents. Radar, Cassandra, Otter, and Star Dawn. And maybe Lena knew of some other trustworthy people.She started getting excited. For the whole summer, she had been reacting. Learning to be a girl. Learning to use her new abilities. Learning her way around her new home. Changing her self concept. Even the thing with Jerry was reactive.Now, she was going to start something. She wasn't sure what, but it would be something they could have fun with, and something they would. But he did know and his heart ached as he looked down at the dispirited girl.She felt his soft lips touch hers and she rose to his kiss. They kissed deeply;he to comfort and reassure both of them, she to gain strength for what shenow knew was ahead. "It's lunchtime. Are you hungry, Sophie?" Thomas asked her gently."A little, yes." She admitted, relieved to be returning to some normalcy. As if by design a knock came at thedoor to announce room service. The room filled with the delicious smell.