I knew some who rode the idea of being a 'protected class' and some who played the gender thing as a way to shirk tough jobs. I also knew some who not...only held their own, but excelled. Just like men. Of course, you can imagine what happens when one of your key engineers pops up in the middle of a project and cites pregnancy and the medical leave that goes with it.I continued, "But he's coming over Thursday to visit. We need to see if we can get as many of the Sisterhood together as possible.". They didn't really even hurt, just a little scratchy, but Dr. Collins said we should take them out, 'specially since it was early August. Him and Mom agreed that it would be better to get it over with instead of having it pop back up during the school year.I guess I kinda agreed, 'cause this year I'd be starting at a new school, Maple Street Junior High. Seventh grade! I thought it was sooo lame that our elementary schools went through sixth grade. Kids in other districts get to go to middle. " Now she had no friend's shoulder to soak up her tears. She'd never see Jolene again. Perish the thought, she might never see another living soul. With a shake of her head, Mary flipped her long auburn hair back over her shoulder. "Well, I'll not feel sorry for myself. I'll just have to make the best of it."Examining her soiled hanky, a grimace formed on Mary's face. She grabbed up the water bucket and filled it from the pool of spring water. Dipping her handkerchief into the cool, clear water. They were optimistic that the nearly five weeks would be adequate time to obtain it.Tuesday night, after I got home from work, I asked Michelle what she was going to wear on her date with Jeremy. She said she’d been thinking about that. It was with a lot of young people, so she wanted to look a little younger.“I think my Christmas dress would be good.” She said.Mmm, so did I. It’s an Indian beadwork, turquoise leather dress that comes to about her mid-thigh. It’s very form-flattering, sexy and.