All right?"She eyed me warily from across the seat as I drove along, headed for the heavily forested side roads of the pricey Shady Grove section of t...wn, where she lived. After a moment she moved closer to me and put a hand on my leg.She asked, "Did I do somethin'?"I shook my head no. "It's all right. I just wanted, you know, to do it right." Well, I -- Well, could you just let me know? I mean, you sprung it on me. It's -- " She folded her arms across her bosom. She gazed out the passenger. What might the next 50 years bring, assuming of course that I lasted that long? Among many other thoughts I remembered Pat, short for Patricia. One of those unforgettable people.In my early teens my parents were going out most Saturday nights, leaving me and my seven-year-old brother in the custody of a babysitter. It was usually Pat who lived nearby. She was sixteen and kinda homely in my recollection. Nice enough though so we got along and did stuff for entertainment after my little sister. You could be a nice birthday present for me,” she smiled to the loud cheers of the crowd.“By looking at your stomach it appears someone has already fucked you.”“Yes he has, I’m pregnant with twins,” she proudly proclaimed rubbing her belly.“I must say that pregnancy does agree with you. You look beautiful.”“Thank you, I agree too.”“How far along are you and when are you due?”“I’m about twenty-two weeks and due near the 25th of November.”“I don’t know what a twenty-two-week pregnancy with twins. " If you're telling me that I'm your girl friend, Barbara, I supposethat fits. I always have been your friend." I smiled. "Just don't whinetoo much when you cry on my shoulder. I hate whining." All right, girl friend, I won't whine - too much. Are we going back inthe pod tonight?"I shook my head. "We're too drunk, well, I am anyway. We'll do it inthe morning. I figure about five more brief stops to care for the newplants and we're there."***Blue flashing alarms brought me from slumber. As.