You really ought to take more care of her, Mark." I wouldn't dare," said Mark."Ho!" chipped in James. "Under the thumb already, are we?" I've only got...'ickle fumbs," said Victoria in a baby voice and there was a roar of appreciative laughter.James watched her. He had been captivated by her over the last two evenings. "Mark has got a winner," he thought. "I'm so happy for him because he deserves a girl like her." His mind turned to Jenny. She was a sweet girl and a lot of fun. She was pretty. He looked down and gently moved his fingers on my leg. I smiled at him and he glanced at the other two. I was on his lap so I could see the others and they were paying attention to Tom’s responses but were touching more than a knee with their hands much higher on the thighs or on the stomach. I leaned into him and kissed his lips, short, brief. I moved his hand higher up my thigh, then put a hand on his face and turned his head fully to me so I could kiss him with more feeling.“Are you okay,. She... It was obvious that she thinks real highly of you."While on the subject, I looked toward the clock. 11:35. I should get going.Sensing my anxiety, she dropped my hands. "You should get going." No. I still have plenty of time." I didn't want to leave her like this. I shouldn't.She saw right through my lie. Smiling sadly, she stroked my cheek. "You could never lie to me very well. Go. Don't make her wait there." But... " Just promise me one thing, ok?" I nodded. "Remember the first night we. Any rational person might ask why I'd agree to such terms. You'd besurprised what you can agree to when your life hangs by a thread. Butwith the memories I'd had hidden away also came the emotions, anoutpouring of despair and grief washed over me. It was dark, oppressiveand heavy...enveloping me completely, smoothing me to the point whereeven drawing breath felt like a task that was not worth the promise afew more seconds of life. I remembered the real reason I accepted heroffer.I had nothing.