She heard me enter the room.Without looking up, she said, “Hi honey. What time are Claire and Kalista coming over tomorrow morning?”“Mom ... how...could you possibly ... Were you listening in on the phone?”“No, dear ... this is Sunday, two days before the start of Cotillion. You and Claire haven’t danced in about four weeks, so I put two and two together and figured it out. I’m not stupid, you know.”“I’m sorry, Mom, what’s all this in front of you?” I asked.“I am just trying to organize this. .." Violet broke off and shook herhead in anger. "What were they supposed to teach me?" The biggest lesson of all. This is what happens to sparks who give up.Their fighting spirit was broken." What's that supposed to mean? I never get a straight answer out of you,do I?" You want straight answers?" Ella gave her a grin. "Go ahead ask, butmake sure you ask the right questions."Violet fell silent for a moment. Gathering her thoughts. "I am a sparkand yet I can't ..." Fly? Shoot fireballs? Cloud. They moved slightly to switch positions moving the covers off of us and giggling. I reached over and helped them rearrange their coverings, "Here let me help you guys" I said with a laugh."Would you like to join us Ivy?" Mark asked as Christy reached over and caressed my arm. I thought for a moment and intertwined my fingers with hers nodding yes and we all re-positioned ourselves. Mark took my face in his hands and kissed me softly, parting my lips with his tongue. He tasted of alcohol and. Going out and back to her car naked would only get my skin wet. I’d be dry within a minute after I was back in the house. She just stared at me. I left the front door open. The rain was softer and cold enough I knew it would be snow soon. Her purse was on the passenger seat. I brought it back with me. I stamped my feet on the rug and shook enough that I stopped dripping. I got a towel and dried off. Then I stood near the stove and handed her the purse. ‘Open it and see how much cash you have.’.