I have been looking forward the meeting you." "El---see," mother tried, but the words stuck in her mouth. "I call her White Dove, mother." I wasn't su...e Elsie yet knew it, but on this day she had been granted a new name, one that my people would understand and be able to say. I said nothing more, watching my mother's face glow in surprise as Elsie greeted her in our tongue. She looked at me, asking with her eyes the one question I knew she wanted answered most. When I smiled in turn, mothers. ’ Marquis de Sade It was a sticky first day of summer. And here was Damien Nikola Gullucci Provenzano standing in a crowd of black clad mourners as they placed ‘Vic’ Vice six feet under the earth. It was a sad damn day in all respects. Not only a friend lost but also a great ally against the Genarelli. He tossed his Lucky to the dirt and ground it under a heel. ‘Best start shifting back toward the ‘mo Nunzio. I highly doubt most of these weeping willows will stop the rain of tears. I saw them. " Right!" she agreed. "So how about let's go do that?" When?" Well, now. Or no, you're right"—he had said nothing at all—"not now, not yet. It's too half-baked, I'm getting carried away. But it's so damn exciting! I've been wracking my brain about the problem and coming up with zilch and then your miss feminist just pops up and cuts the Gordian knot with one stroke of her edgy little tongue. Oh, I love it! But I ought to run it by Terry, and Ram and Cory, and maybe some of those back on the. Can you forgive me?”“Mrs. Wilder,” I stuttered, “I thought about you, too, but was afraid that I offended you.”With a sweet smile she answered, “You call me Annie, please, and help me to understand how such a young man likes this old widow. You may not have understood how much I appreciated your attention and how much I need this. It felt so good to be touched, and it shall be our secret if you want it, too.”Annie raised her hands and caressed my face with her soft fingers, again looking very.