”Owen smiled. He could tell the man wanted to reach across the bar, grab his shoulders, shake him and demand to know why he kept going back. Why Owe... would march into the shit when he knew so much of it was lies, greed and pointless suffering. But Chuck didn't. The unassuming gentleman with the shiny head just listened, poured drinks and commiserated.“You're a good man, Chuck” he said as he lifted his glass.“So are you, Owen. Don't forget it.”The young soldier nodded with sad eyes and downed. I was incorrigible. I wouldflirt, get the poor guy all excited, and then leave himhanging as I moved to the next guy. Thankfully, no one everasked me any questions about my life, since I'm a poorliar. Rod's name did come up once, but my plan worked, andthe "Cop" I was talking to didn't really seem to bebothered by hitting on his friends date anyway. So this ishow I spent most of the party; acting like a teenage dick-tease and loving every minute of it.On another trip to the bar, to get my 4th. ‘Not the phone this time, I need to leave a package with you.’ ‘Why,’ I asked. I had long ago stopped agreeing to favors, before I knew the extent of the services required. ‘I have to take off for a couple of days. Business, anyway a friend of mine is going to be coming for the package. I am going to leave a note on my door. That is if you agree to keep it for me.’ ‘When is your friend coming? I have to go to Greensboro tomorrow.’ ‘Don’t worry Pat will be here tonight. If she isn’t, don’t worry. Then she saw my skirt and blouse laying over her chair. "You didn't bring any bags!" No." You don't have a change of clothes?" No. Just those I came in." Oh. Well, it can't be helped. You can go to the student store today and pick up some uniforms, and I guess they'll have your room ready." Oh."Then she said that she would bathe."Isn't it too cold?" I asked."Tyballa! There's hot water, and you must bathe too."When I got out of bed, the cold affected my nipples too. "Can I join you?"She stared.