”As I pulled out my phone she looked at my hand and told me to put it away.I thought to myself, wow, as she explained, “I’m old school, let me s...e your hand” I extended my other hand as she pulled out a sharpie and scripted her number in my palm. “Call me either way” she commanded looking up at me over the top of her glasses.“No pen huh?”, I asked staring at the permanent marker. She wrote her number the whole length of my hand from my wrist up to and across my middle fingers, “555-6575” I. It seemed like everyone was talking to Mike at once. Joyce and Woody were telling him that the pool water was getting warmer by the day. He’ll have to come swimming next time he came home to visit. Gladys gave him a big, smacking kiss that left a big red lipstick blotch on his check. She invited Mike to come to their house and pick avocados from their garden. Jackie told Mike about all the work that Tom did in their back yard. He’s got to come over and see it for himself. I stood on the porch. He smiled. That by itself was a surprise. But when he walked around his impressive desk to hug me, I was stunned."Fuck them!" he said. "Pierson, you got yourself into an amazing heap of shit and I don't know if we'll ever get you out of it — but sure as hell we're going to try!"He slammed into my shoulder and led me to one of his overstuffed leather club chairs. My ribs hurt. As did my shoulder."Whiskey?" he said, already pouring. I accepted the glass. He had poured himself a double vodka on. It was only a short trip and we were soon riding the elevator up to our floor. was giggling and had her hands all over me. She wasn’t really drunk but in a partying mood. I was surprised and pleased at the same time. When we got to Asha’s room she gave me the key card and I unlocked the door for her. At that moment, she turned one of her high heels and slipped down beside me. I caught her fall with my hand catching her right breast. Both of us were surprised and I know my face was flushed red..