”After grabbing, and quickly eating, a plate of food, I hastened downstairs to take a shower and get dressed before the parade started. On my return... I discovered that watching the parade at this home was just like watching the parade everywhere else I’ve watched it over the years: sitting on the couch and consuming mass quantities of coffee and whatever else can be grazed from off of the dining-room table ... while wandering into the kitchen during the commercials to help attend to food prep.I. " She sounded sad, and I held her hand and gently brushed my finger across her smooth skin.We talked, or rather, I encouraged her to do the talking, and she rambled about her life and marriage, Brian growing up without a strong father figure, and the dynamics that led to her picking up and moving to Branson."I don't know what to do now that the bank job is gone..." She was hurting, so I threw her a lifeline."I don't think you need to worry about doing much of anything." She gave me a sidelong. I sighed and got up to go change, pressing play on my Mac and starting Bloc Party's Silent Alarm. I opened the top drawer of my dresser and grabbed a plain purple tank top, shorts, and a new bra and pair of panties. I didn't have a great fashion sense - I mostly just didn't care. Sure, I made sure my colors matched and all, but I didn't really go for frilly stuff and dresses and all that. My clothes were mostly plain, the exceptions being the shirts I'd collected from my favorite bands. I was. . .” Lacy paused unable to get out what she wanted to say and finally she said something else out of complete frustration. “Freja, you’re so beautiful.” Even as she gushed the words Lacy felt her face flush and she was sure her face was now as red as her spandex shorts. “Thank you, Lacy. So if I understand you correctly you’re here to meet me.” Freja pointed out the obvious. Lacy nodded her head. “Yes, I’d like to.” She said softly. “Then shall we go get a shower together, Lacy. I would like.