." And he whispered in the commander's ear.It certainly made things easier.An urgent pounding on the pantry door."Come in," drawled Mouse."Signal for ...he commander, ma'am..." It was the small sailor with the pointed nipples who had earlier spoken to the commander. "Beg your pardon, ma'am." The commander's got her hands full at the moment, sailor," said Mouse."And her mouth, too, sir!" Just leave the signal with me." It was for her personal attention, sir. Can you make sure she gets it?" Oh,. ’ ‘All right what?’ ‘I’ll do it. I’ll go with you for Thanksgiving and pretend to be your boyfriend.’ To start with. He aimed to be her real boyfriend by the time they came back. ‘Simon, I was . . . I was just kidding.’ I don’t think I can do that, she thought, panicking a little. I don’t know if I could just pretend . . . or stop pretending when it’s over. ‘I know, but why not? Think about it. Your mom knows me, so you won’t have to deal with the third degree. It will get her off your back for. I heard the buzz of the solenoid and then the click of the lock."Good morning Cindy," Sam said."Hello Sam, is mom around?" she asked calmly."Sure, she is back in the conference room. Would like coffee?" he asked. I know that killed him. since Sam hated to get coffee for anyone. He found it demeaning."No we are good," Cindy said as she moved to stand in the doorway of the conference room. She turned her attention to me. "Hello mom. how are you?" she asked.There were no hugs or anything like it.. Simple and tasteful. This would be another good year. I put my laptop on the dressing table and lay down on the bed, wondering about Karl and Ulrika. They sounded like typical rich kids: alternately spoiled and neglected. * * * * * * * * * * One floor below, Ulrika lay on her bed, seething with resentment. School was bad enough: the nuns watched over them like hawks, and now there was going to be a private tutor as well. Her father was away most of the time and her mother was wrapped up in the.