I’ve argued with Doctor Mercer, my therapist back in Ohio. But not with Karin.”“Interesting. And she’s told you her terms. It’s up to you to... decide what to do. Does that sound familiar?”“Yes, it most certainly does.”“And?” Anala asked.“I don’t know. I’m not ready to make a commitment to anyone at this point. I still need to grow up.”“Not as much as you think you do. I think that ten-day conversation with Karin was a watershed. You may not marry her, but she just helped you define your life and. Sally genuinely enjoyed studying for her doctorate. Who would have known a generation ago just how exciting the growing synthesis between robotics and biochemistry would become? And as someone already ahead in an area of academic research that was attracting Chinese and Brazilian investment, maybe she could one day study abroad. Perhaps she could become a fellow at a university in a prosperous city like Beijing, Pyongyang or Buenos Aires.Still, Oxford was a pleasant enough city on the edge of. I Saw. Saw the Truth. Sought to spread that Truth. Sought to bridge the void between us ... and the Gods."That ... sounded dangerous. Or stupid. It depended, in Sam's mind, on whether those gods existed. If they did, no one in their right mind would attract their attention."They came to me. Sisters. The Sisters you see around you, and oh so many more. Sisters who believed, believed in what I Saw. Believed we could achieve greatness." She paused, smiling at those gathered. They smiled back. "We. “Sie wühlte sich aus dem Bett. Die Kopfschmerzen verursachten ihr ein Stechen hinter den Schläfen, das kaum auszuhalten war. Sie roch nach Wodka, unsicher krabbelte sie auf allen Vieren auf das piepende Handy zu und drückte den Knopf.„Ja?“War ja klar, dass Mama dran war. „Tina, mein Schatz, ich habe mir solche Sorgen gemacht ... Warum gehst du denn nicht ans Telefon? Geht es dir gut?“Tina konnte nur stumm nicken und setzte sich auf das Parkett, angenehm kühl auf ihrer aufgewärmten nackten Haut..