”“Of course. Except she wouldn’t learn her lesson and kept mumbling at me in some strange language.”“French?”“I know what French sounds ...like, lol, it wasn’t that. It seemed European, so I guess half a point for you.”“Yeah, I suppose that having an argument with someone like that, first thing in the morning, could sour your day. But only if you let it.”I felt like pouring the iced Americano I was preparing on her stupid head. She had these zen philosophies, about being chill and happy and. Well, part of me melted, while another part, well, let’s just say it was waiting at attention. I brought my hand into play and caressed her, pulling her to me. We kissed slowly at first, then, hungry for more, we devoured each other. Images of her eating that corn dog flashed across my memory and I must have moaned for she was very responsive to my touches. My caresses chased down across her body as I watched her slouch down in the chair, her sundress sticking to the fabric and riding up her. Often, two men shot at the same time. I was impressed that they made sure of their angles so the shots or ricochets wouldn’t hit the guy in the cellar. It was obvious that they’d done this before.The last snake struck at him, but couldn’t bite through his protective gear. He used the shovel to flick it off, and one of the shooters ended that threat. An hour after he began, he had scooped the remaining debris so it was along the east wall. Two more men went down to help shovel it into the. " I know. But you didn't force her."For some reason, this started Laura's tears. They seemed to gush from her eyes, and deep rending sobs wracked her body. Her tears started Karen's, and in seconds they were both sobbing uncontrollably.They cried inconsolably for half an hour, then held each other and cried some more, physically wrenched by the pain of losing Rina and the guilt of having somehow caused her death. But somehow their mingled guilt and sorrow, and the comfort they offered each.