We would perform flyovers but would only land at Heathrow. I reminded everyone that we had a lot of ground to cover and we hadn't spent any time on th... continent yet. We would fly over all of the area in formation but widely separated. Andy, Charlie, and the Trio wanted everyone's attention. I looked at them and said, "Okay, one of you speak. You have something to say obviously."They smiled and SJ stood. That worried me. SJ was mature well beyond her years and had a golden tongue. She said, "We. I stayed in a "by the week" motel right next to Hollywood and steered clear of the pimps and the dopers. They were put off by my police cruiser at first but they quickly determined there was no chance I was an undercover cop or anything stupid like that. I made certain my prison ink was visible to allay any fears. I always worried Tony would ask me about that but he ignored it as a closed chapter in my life.I knew Tony had my sister's phone number and my parent's address making it impossible. She was looking back over her shoulder. She was looking straight at me. She had caught me staring! My guts turned to jelly and I started to turn away. Where was the nearest exit? But... was that a hint of a smile on her face? A mysterious smile. Yes. Making fun of me? Or... She was beckoning toward me. Me? I pointed at my chest and she nodded vigorously. Well, why the hell not? I slowly made my way toward her."You. Yes, you. I saw you looking at me. What's the matter, guy? Never seen a fat. But I had asked for this meeting, so I thought I'd put a brave face on it ... remembering times I'd had to intervene with underachieving students ... the importance of staying in control — of myself as well as the situation — not rising to any provocation, being clear about my objectives and the limits to any compromises that might be offered. Problem was that here I was hardly in a position to reduce the conversation to the standard 'shape up or ship out' ultimatum. Or at least, I didn't think.