No rocks hurdle down the street. No bricks fall from the roof toprevent me from leaving! I tentatively look around and take another step.Again, nothin... happens. I glance back at Mark. He still seems to towerover me, and starts smiling at me with encouragement. He bends down andwhispers in my ear, "Everyone we know is going to look at you and thinkSusan. Just relax! You are you! Enjoy this! I certainly am" and he smileturns into a grin.I take a deep breath, deciding he is right. I slowly move. Thus, on Friday night I planned to make an appearance at a singles bar. Then, next morning, hopefully after a rewarding and recreational evening and night, I would drive home. I selected my sexiest dress for the occasion, a scoop-necked flowery print with spaghetti straps. I wasn't brave enough to go braless, so I wore a sheer, low-cut, push-up bra that emphasized what little cleavage I had.I showed up at the bar about nine p.m., sat down by myself, and ordered a gin and tonic. I was. “Mom,” Alaina said between sniffles. “Um ... I really need to talk to you tonight, okay? It’s important.”Mom’s hands stroked soothingly down her back. “It’s okay, Lainy,” she said. “It’s okay. We’ll talk, okay? Don’t worry.”After a couple minutes, Mom’s reassuring words and hugs helped her to relax. Her grip loosened, and she stepped back, rubbing her sleeve across her eyes. “Sorry, Mom, I just ... I got a little overwhelmed.”“It’s okay, sweetie,” Mom said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “I’m. All she managed to do was mute the sound.She couldn’t look me in the eye, but unfortunately, that meant that as she looked down, she couldn’t help but notice that her panties were still there on the floor in front of both of us. I could tell that she desperately wanted to pick them up and put them back on if she could just figure out a way to do it and still maintain some dignity.“Look, Mr. Roberts, if you’re going to fire me, just fire me.”I probably could have fired her, there and then. I.