What do you have to compare it against?”He could taste the little bubbles of wine on her lips. His hand weighed her breast, squeezed tenderly.“I d...n’t know. I’m not sure that was your A-game. I think you holding out on me.”“Maybe. So how does it feel?”“Being a woman?”“Yeah, that.”“I understand the appeal. I’ll probably spend a fair amount of my life having that or looking for it. But, at the end of the day… it’s just textbook mutilation right? Like when they chopped off that part of your. May is it possible I could leave some of my things at your house?” May said, “No problem. If you have any furniture Jack can shift it in his big estate car.” Val said, “I only have a few small pieces left but I am so fucking happy to be away from Sheila.” May topped up our glasses. Val said, "This is a lovely Champagne." May said, "Jack imports it, I'm looking forward to visiting the vineyards with him. I am sure that will be a lot of fun." We then chatted, sipping Champagne and about thirty. Within ten minutes of entering the ballroom, she tugged me urgently to one side, out of earshot of the other guests."Lawrence, you did not tell me. What is the prize?"I looked at her only slightly less blank than I was still bedazzled by her beauty. When she saw I truly didn't know what was going on, she succinctly and patiently explained the contest, the rules as played in the French aristocracy and again demanded to know what the prize was.Still without a clue, she finally asked who was. " I just barely heard a scream, or I heard what I thought might be a scream. When I got outside, I saw the van turn the corner. I felt as if something was wrong, but I didn't even know whether the girls had left your house, yet. I feel so damn helpless in this. I can't lose my girls. They're all I have left of my marriage – all I have left of Naomi." I know. I know," she said, trying to keep from sobbing."I'm sorry, Angie; you don't even have that. How long has he been gone now – ten years?".