"Viola," she continued, "this is was what you will be wearingtonight for our dinner date."I looked inside the wardrobe and saw a little black dress, t...at wasshorter Lucy and worn for some time. I estimated it was go to about 3inches above my knee. I saw black heels on the floor, on the bed shehad lay out, what I can only describe a black basque and suspendercombination with a matching thong and black silk stockings. She smiledas she informed me "I have been keeping these for a special. “I’m not sure Passion Mill would entirely agree.”“How so?”I related my conversation with Elk.“Oh, Ashley! This is the first time you’ve faced significant losses is it not?”“Yes,” I said.He reached out and held my hand. “Ashley, you did well. There is no doubt of that.“Someone should have warned you that your job is not always well-received by those who benefit most.”“Lord Oak Leaf did say something of that. Perhaps I did not fully appreciate the scope of his advice.”“I suspect few can imagine. Why did you bring me here--?” “Because I like you.” Carson’s voice broke off, disarmed by the tenderness in Mr. Armisen’s words, a tone he was unfamiliar with. Velvety and sincere--fatherly. “Well, I’m sorry I ruined our night,” said Carson quietly, putting his hand on Mr. Armisen’s thigh and rubbing gently. “It’s only eight o’clock,” said Armisen, glancing at his watch. “Maybe I can make it up to you," Carson said. He glanced out the door. The hallway was empty.Keeping his hand on Armisen’s. My relationship with Cody was less than cordial after that. If he spoke to me at all it was to put me down or call me names. He was not a nice person in the best of times. Now that he held a grudge he made my life unpleasant whenever he got the opportunity. And he frequently went out of his way to create the opportunity.Anyway, back to the story. Mom hit this kid and panicked. If she had just stopped the car and gotten out it would have been okay. She might have gotten a ticket for driving too.