"As relatively civilized small talk, this was as typical as it could getbetween us two. Friendly teasing and witty comments about life ingeneral were ...ery much our forte. At times, especially when we werestill in high school and feeling philosophical, we sometimes launchedinto hour-long discussions with topics ranging from the existence ofGod to specifications of Star Trek spaceships to anything imaginable.After a long day of studying or drinking in our college dorm, theconversations often. " Hey, you invited him. I'm just trying to be polite."Together Darwin and Thyme took the wet grassy path that led to the Magpie's long driveway. He pushed the gate open allowing her to walk through. She would have preferred to watch him walk out first so that she could stare at his ass. They walked in silence, like two ousted houseguests banished from the residence in shame or something. Were they that? Darwin hopped into his navy blue Saab convertible and started the car.Thyme offered, "I'm. The coach was not happy when a car came careening across the football field and screeched to a stop. Sherry was out of the car in a flash. She ran over to Otterly and hugged her. Digit stood guard over the two women, growling at anyone else who attempted to get close to them.Otterly sobbed, “They wanted to rape me.”“You’re safe now,” Sherry said holding her tightly.Alex stepped out of the car and shouted, “Drones! Form up on me!”The drones immediately moved into a formation with two in front of. She had planned on taking a bus home but Mark said he had a better idea.After quickly packing and checking out, Mark hailed a cab. "I'll have the cab drop me off at the hospital. You take it on to your place. It's on me," he smiled. Although she protested, Gwen was glad she didn't have to ride all the way to her home in Queens on the bus.They kissed when the cab pulled up at the hospital. "Why don't ya come up and see me some time, little lady?" he teased in a really bad Mae West accent before.