"This is your newclassmate, Mary. She is able to hear but not able to speak, so herinterpreter will be with her in the classroom," the teacher introd...ced.Mary's interpreter was an older woman who also had nothing to say tous. Mary did some quick signs to her interpreter, and I could tell shewas nervous. "Nice to meet you all," the interpreter said.We all knew then that having a disabled kid meant we all had to becareful with what we said. Any teasing or so-called "bullying" wouldsend us to. Especially in large cities, ER staff have seen it all. Nevertheless, they do remember the especially creative things, which often involve the use of things in ways for which they were not designed, in body orifices not intended for metal, glass, and plastic.About 2AM one night, I was awakened by a call from a good friend, my first wife’s second ex-husband. He’s straight, and not especially kinky. After the divorce, though, he was lonely. He had gotten a job that he really enjoyed, as assistant. I nursed a red wine as I watched the couples interact and tried to guess what they must have paid for this two week holiday. As I chatted casually with them, having introduced myself, I learned three couples were from Ontario, two from Quebec, three from the U.S. and two from Europe. The couple from England was the life of the party and kept everyone around them laughing. I noticed one woman, however, who appeared to be on her own. I couldn’t spot a partner and she was drifting from group to. When she finally reached the room, she knocked a few soft knocks and stared at anything but the door while she waited for him to open the door. It seemed like a century had passed before the handle finally turned and he stood in front of her smiling. She smiled back, trying to hide her nerves. He took her backpack from her and led her into the room. The cold temperature of all newly occupied hotel rooms made her shiver and nip. She crossed her arms and was quiet. Then, after setting her bag.