Mom was giggling. “Oh, Eddie, you are so easy. Now zip up your fly.”I looked down. Mom was not teasing this time. Embarrassed again, I zipped up m... pants.There was another crack of thunder, and mom flinched again. “Jesus, I hate thunder and lightning storms when they get this close.”I thought the best thing to do was to talk to her and get her mind off the storm. “You knew dad had these magazines?”“Of course. Your father knew he did not have to sneak off to look at them. He would look at them. Because of her earlier contact with the merchant, she would still be somewhat linked to him, and she would mentally let her bargaining companion know when cheating was attempted.Twice, over the years, their little caravan was attacked as they returned laden with supplies for the months ahead. Both times they fought off the thieves. Both times, Rybba was badly wounded. Both times, fortunately for Simon, it was he who was with her, and was the recipient of the incredible sex that Rybba seemed. "Of course not Michele; what do you take me for? I just want a littleslap and tickle, a few kisses and maybe a rub here and there," Billwinked at her and Michele paled at the thought."What does a little slap and tickle involve Bill?" Michele asked,nervously puffing her cigarette."A bit of kissing, a bit of foreplay, that's all," Bill sucked at hiswine draining the glass."Why don't I pour us something a little smoother, a scotch and dryperhaps while you go and fix your makeup and make yourself. "But -- but I know what's in it!"Paula pulled to the curb and parked."Speak," she said.He hesitated. "How do I know you'll come across if I do? And we aren't going to do it right here, are we?"She stared at him, pursing her lips. She let out a big breath."There's a beach fifteen minutes from here. Nobody goes there because the sand got washed away years ago. It's still got a little parking lot you can't see from the road." Sounds like you know this town pretty good." I grew up here. And I had.