After a seconds’ hesitation, she threw caution to the winds and kissed him back, passionately. Upon her responding this way, he put his hands on her...face and his kiss became bruising. He held her there, kissing her tenderly, for what felt like hours, or days even. Eventually, he pulled away and stepped out from behind the drivers’ booth. He was already hard, she could see through his trousers. With a lurch of pleasure, she realised where this was going to end. She reached down and caressed him. I took hardly any longer to fall into a deep dreamless sleep.I was alone in bed when I woke next morning, but I could hear activity in the kitchen. Mum was standing at the sink with a heavy dressing gown firmly belted around her waist. Approaching her from behind, I wrapped my arms around her waist and nuzzled into her neck. She immediately turned and pushed me away."No, Stevie, no, this mustn't happen again. I don't want to hurt you, but what happened last night was completely wrong. Mothers. I also knew that L/Cpl Snyder would throw Talamo in the nearestdumpster or Lake Bandni.Two weeks later, Anthony went home for his father's funeral. He was onlygone for four days. He told me, "I went for my mom. My dad and me neverreally got along. I went to help out my mom."I took him at his word. If he wanted to tell me something, he would onhis own terms. Snyder offered to buy him a few beers. So did the rest ofthe squad. L/Cpl Snyder was a bit of a nut, but could fire the M 16 likea pistol. “Em, don’t say anything you can’t take back.”“Mom, you brought this on. Auntie Em did everything right. She didn’t plan on someone shooting her.”The reminder her daughter’s life was threatened was the wrong thing to say. It tossed fresh kindling on the smoldering embers of her anger. Francine’s head snapped back up.“And why is some crazy coot gunning for you? What the hell did you do to him that he’s trying to kill you? Sleep with his bag lady girlfriend on a park bench?”“Ladies, please.” Lucy.