"I am. He's right. I'm a pathetic slut looking for instant gratification with whoever is available," she cried. When I didn't leave, she turned toward... me and reached out."Oh Luke!" she cried, as she pulled me into an embrace, sobbing against my shoulder. "Just hold me!" Gladly. Her cries subsided as I gently massaged her back. We laid there with our arms wrapped around each other and I held her until she fell asleep. Eventually she turned over and I spooned against her back, falling asleep. ’I went to Darlene and said, “He’s gone – I put him in a cab and sent him home. When he gets that way, does he hit, or just yell like today?”“Oh, Richard – heavens no, he doesn’t hit me or my Mom, he just gets stupid drunk every now and again. He often just falls asleep in his chair and Mom doesn’t even bother trying to get him to their bedroom.”“All right, well – while you are as emotional as you are at the moment, I thought we’d try ‘It Won’t Happen Again.’ Are you up to it, young. ”“Baby duty,” Merritt answered back. “Auntie Swarta wanted to look after our baby today. Isn’t that sweet? She is such a wonderful co-wife. I called her last night.”“Hang on. I’m coming down.”Before getting too far, our shipbuilding supply chief stopped me. “Milord, I thought you should know the last barge from the warehouse didn’t load any oil of turpentine. We do have enough for today’s work and I took the liberty of using a wizard apprentice to contact the warehouse scribe so that they will. Kevin! Man, I hope you brought an appetite today! I need someone to check out some of the new stuff Im thinking of putting on the menu. Let me get you a table! Or you can eat in here and keep me company, if you want. Kevin laughed and shook James hand. Casey watched, smiling. It was easy to see why Kevin liked this place so much. Sorry, man Ive already got a date and shes much prettier than your old washed-up surfer ass. James turned his attention to Casey, who smiled brightly and held out her.