She was going to be in this wretched cast for at least ten days and would not be able to drive so she needed Andrew to take her to work. She could not...ask her grandparents to do that.She sat disconsolately on the sofa not knowing what to think and fighting tears of frustration.Andrew came back in."Lunch is ready," he said cheerfully. "I thought we'd have it in the kitchen in case you're messy. Come on, my wounded one."He took her left hand and pulled her to her feet. She followed him silently. "I just shook my head."You must have had a unique adolescence," I said. "Most parents I know would freak."Sherri nodded in acknowledgement."I'm not saying that you should have objected," she said after a pause. "I'm asking why you didn't." You think it's because I didn't have the nerve?" Did you?" Actually, I probably ... no, I don't know. It was irrelevant because I sensed pretty quickly that objecting would only cause problems with Sharon's parents. And we were guests, after all." Nothing. Long calls on phone became regular. I could see Arpi getting closer to Ali as each day passed. Ali and Arpi talking endlessly on phone increased. I continued to play my passive role. I did not have an opportunity to meet Ali until that time. I had just come out of the shower and was getting ready to go to office, when Arpi announced, “Darling, I shall be out today evening, after the office. Ali is going to the beach side restaurant with his friends and their wives in the evening and he wants me. The only light came from a small red wall lamp with cast a crimson glow over the azure bed. The girl, still with that grin on her face went over to the table, removed a towel and placed it over the mat. She then gave me a small pair of paper trunks and spoke for he first time - saying to remove everything, I think I remember her emphasising that word, and my flat on the mat; she would be back in a minute. She gave a little giggle and I had a look at the first woman I would sleep with, that I.