"Can't wait until this cast is off, though. I don't like hobbling around, and it's just plain old annoying." "I know the feeling. I sprained my ankle ...last year and was out for four weeks." He opened the fridge, muttered to himself, then made a decision. "You good with pasta?" "Love it." "Cool." Brody took some vegetables and chicken out of the fridge. "Pasta's handy stuff. You should keep some around. I don't know how you survive without actual food in your place." "Oh, funny. Do I look like. I think Kiyoko actually fell asleep.”Mark opened his eyes and after a moment nodded. “Not a bad idea actually. Let’s not rush things on the way back up.”“Hmm. If it’s any consolation, all the other teams reported they’d rather be climbing up the stairs rather than down.”“Ah, that’s nice to know...” After a moment of silence, Mark offered his hand toFatima.She accepted it and gave it a friendly squeeze. “So, how’s married life been?”Mark sighed. “It’s been really wonderful. I miss Jada a lot,. She probably left the house early thismorning before I awoke.That?s when I heard her voice. Katie was in the bathroom with him. Shewas begging me to open the door. Katie yelled to me she was in therebecause Reggie said he was going to choke her if she didn?t have sexwith him. I knew Katie was lying to me. Katie wasn?t the only Mangionewoman that Reggie bagged in this house! I knew it was all a lie.I thought to myself Why not just divorce me. Why spend all that money totransform me into a woman?. . for me. What I made you put up with! I want to live with you, married or not, cook for you, play for you, make love to you ... please?"I went from gloom and despondency to elation in moments, but I couldn't get any words out; I just held her close, tears mingling with the rain still from the emotional turmoil."Let me do this properly, then," I said once I had my vocal chords under control. I released her, dropped onto one knee in the wet grass, took her right hand in both of mine. "Helen.