” Cecilia nodded.“I know,” she said. What she didn’t say was that her daughter had brought this whole thing down on herself by insisting on a ...ifestyle that was bound to have a bad outcome, and now it had.Anna set the purses down on the dinette table of the small two-bedroom residence and took a seat beside her friend, holding her close, protectively.“I have to say, I think his lawyer tried, but he just wasn’t as good as he might have been,” said Anna. “He was young, lacked experience. Well,. Mandy stepped out, and ushered me in. "I'm just popping out back for a cigarette, dear. Deepak will explain everything." Deepak was trying hard to conceal his enthusiasm for whatever it was that they had just discussed. I sat down. "Your wife is a truly incredible woman, John." I nodded. "What a wonderful creativity!" He paused to collect himself. "The essential idea is that we should attempt to have you and your wife gaining a more complete understanding of each other. Your wife and. If it fits it is yours and I think perhaps we haveshoes to match."He turned to an assistant and motioned to her to lead me away with thedress. I deposited the underwear on a seat and followed to the changingroom. The dress seemed a perfect fit, but it did not please Pierre. Hecalled out a name which I could not catch, but a girl appeared fromsomewhere with a pincushion on a sort of bracelet. They busily markedand pinned the dress. Pierre said that I would have it for the eveningand that it. Turning to him, I said, "No, I'm not mad. But we have to talk."He followed me into the living room and he sat in the middle of the couch. I almost told him to move over but didn't. I sat at the end with my back to the arm and brought my knees up. Wrapping my arms around my legs, I placed my chin on my knees and studied my son.I didn't know what to say.Jeff reached over and took my hand, gently pulling me. I let my knees slide down and turned as I shifted closer to him. He draped an arm around.