She remembered from her private school days how water bugs made a distinctive sound as they scrabbled across the floor. She’d been told water bugs w...re just a genre of roach. It made her skin crawl as she heard them slither across the floor now. She was certain they were in the bed with her. She felt their awful light footed tread across her legs and arms. She tried to remember her science classes. Did roaches have feet? She squirmed and flinched as she felt an occasional bite. It was so humid. Her long leather boots clomped on the pavement as Ethan followed, staring at her massive, shiny, bouncing rump.* * * * **DING DONG*Anxiety welled up in Ethan. It was difficult not to be nervous when a woman was about to lead him, by a leash, into a house of complete strangers. Asha glanced down at him as they waited and her beaming smile put him at ease.'It's just a costume, Ethan. Relax!'The door opened and the odd couple was greeted by a woman dressed as a witch. She, too, was dressed in. There seemed to be a lot of them in Portland, and whenever I saw one, I shivered a little bit.We crossed the street and went into the restaurant. It was an unassuming-looking Chinese place, and there were actual Chinese eating there, which was always a good sign. Mistress sat down at a table, and I sat across from her. At the table we were at, I had a clear view through the window at the piercing place across the street. It could be a total accident, or it could be entirely on purpose.. "Call me Helen." Whatever. You see my five sister/wives ... well not officially until tomorrow. He told you about the ceremony didn't he?" The wedding? Of course." But not the other wedding." He suggested things might get strange and go on a bit late." You could say that." What other wedding?" Us, the harem. I know it's weird and all, but really it's all about love. We never had much of it most of us. I mean Marta at least has a family, but she went through ... I'll let her tell you or Joe will.