I didn’t want to frighten Marie, but I said, “Well, in this enlightened age everything is allowed, surely?”“Yes, but Prince Charming woke Slee...ing Beauty with a kiss. No, you have to be a queen. If you’re not a queen I’ll pout. You don’t want me pouting do you? So what does Queen Lovely do to Sleeping Marie?”I swallowed, “Um. Well, you sort of kissed me in the restaurant. Does that count?”“Nuh uh. That was me kissing you. And I wasn’t asleep. Definitely doesn’t count.”I pretended to be. As I walked in Gwen’s head whipped round to glare at me.“Leave her alone you fucking ...”I shut her up with a not too gentle slap across her cheek.“You should be proud of her,” I said, “she’s so pretty ... and desirable. As long as you’re comfortable and enjoying the entertainment you can wait a while longer. Just in case you’re tempted to shout out ....” I picked up a ball gag from the range of items on the nearby table and turned back to her. “Open wide,” I commanded. Foolishly she opened her. “No! You’re not ridiculous. All of us feel overwhelmed by the changes that we go through at this age. I vividly recall way back when three weeks ago the first day that I spent with you. I recall crying many times and you always comforted me. In fact, I recall falling asleep that night as you held me because, once again, I was crying. Dad is right. For that day alone, I would have loved you regardless of whether you were physically beautiful or ugly. Your inner beauty showed through and made my. Well, I probably could have sat on your lap and I wouldn't have minded in the least. The way things turned out, Ruth probably would have been willing to sit on Chris's lap – or other things." Is it OK if you just drive one of our cars home?" Regan asked as they approached the freeway ramp to her house."It'll give me a chance to wash and wax it in the morning," Andy said, giving in to the inevitable."We have someone who does that," Regan answered.Of course you do, Andy thought again as he closed.