Society keeps things safe. We follow rules: stay in your lane, on your side of the road. Restaurants get rated by the government. Pilots are trained t... do their jobs. Society's mores keep us safe.I could crush his throat right now. All I had to do was squeeze a little bit more. I'd been practicing. I had one of those little grippy toys on my desk at work, and one of the hand grip exercisers like bodybuilders use was on my night table at home. I could crush him with either hand, and I had my. I’ve spoken to Doctor Evgeni at length over the years. Do you know when I’ll hear from Father Stephen?”“I’d suspect soon. He was planning to call Doctor Mercer this afternoon.”“You can go back to your usual fasting rule, but I’d like you to keep the prayer rule for now.”“Yes, Father,” I replied.“Shall we vest?” he asked.We got up from the bench and began our usual routine, which culminated about ninety minutes later when we removed our vestments after Vespers. I received Father’s blessing and. She had just propositioned a man when Leroy caught her. She's a fucking whore."Ester looked at the woman on her back. She could have been any age except young. Her natural brown now mostly gray hair had worked its way from under the hairnet, and lay around her head in a dirty sweaty halo. The makeup on her face was overdone in order to hide the lines of a hard life and the bruises of an abusive relationship.On reflex, Jamie pulled one of the woman's arms to her, and looked at the inside of her. "Thank you," said Ms. McLandon. "Please excuse the mess in some parts ofthe house. It has been so hectic lately - at work and around here." Sheraised her arms up for expression."Don't worry. I'll clean up while I'm here, after the kids are in bed,"said Jessica.Ms. McLandon smiled, realizing that Jessica was an angel sent from Godalready. "Please, make yourself at home. You can put your stuff downthere," she said signaling to a sofa in the living room. "Let me give youa tour of the house," she.