The clouds were starting to build in front of them, presaging rough weather ahead. Monique's fingers tapped on her door, keeping time with the jazzy r...ythms.Monique looked at Cliff's hands on the steering wheel as he drove. His fingers were long and slender. He had artist's hands. She supposed it was possible for a man with short, stubby fingers to be an artist, but she had never yet seen one who was. They were usually ditchdiggers, bricklayers, men who labored with their hands. Strange how the. " Oh," Jonelle said, eyes widening with shock. "You said that word." I'm sorry. Did you want me not to say it?" But it is what we're doing, isn't it. I mean, why pretend." Does it still bother you?" I... guess not. You know, I dreamed of... us. Of you doing that to me." Was it a good dream?"A beatific smile spread over Jonelle's beautiful face and seemed to fill up her entire body. "You bet it was," she grinned. "It made come to see you today."Laura's heart filled up. She kissed Jonelle. "Are. "Well, Mac's father is a known ... Lothario, maybe. I don't know what you would call him, but he's as smooth as silk around the ladies. Two weeks ago, he caught Donna and Mac and Tad and Anita going at it and somehow managed not to get seen until after Mac left to take Tad and Anita home. In a VERY short time, he had Donna on the ropes..." Omigod!" Iris gasped. "He didn't?!" It was close, apparently -- Mac returned just in time. Apparently Mac's early sexual education came from Harmon's. Kids seem to instinctively know how to play family politics almost from birth. I had all my arguments in a row."Sure, Son," if you want to," he told me, "Just don't let it interfere with your regular chores or studies. Use the two spare teams and alternate. They need to get a working to keep 'em from getting too fat and lazy."Boy oh boy, here I had all these great persuasive arguments and Pa just said, "Sure." Talk about a let down, I almost felt cheated when I didn't get a chance to argue my.