”“I believe it went: When things are wild, from not quite a child. Life can be, for all to see. ... For as a reward, with family restored. Honor is earned, as the evil burns!”Merlin, his brother and pops mouths dropped open as all three of them fell to their knees. “By the great power! It’s prophecy of the new age!” Merlin was whispering. Looking up at me Merlin started to shake his head. “You are the catalyst my. She washed it down with orange juice made from concentrate.“Since I brought a can of coffee grounds, can I have a cup of your fresh coffee?” she asked when the bun was gone.“Sure as long as you brew the next pot, and put it in the aging jar,” I said. The aging jar was actually an iced tea pitcher with an ‘x’ on the outside. The ‘x’ was made of red duct tape. Like everything in my life the coffee ritual was complicated. I brewed the coffee one day, then poured the whole pot into the brewing. (Sorry about the pun.)“Those warehousemen can plumb pack it away ... could ... used ta could pack it away. They’re dead and fed to the harbor and someone has to eat all this. You’re handy.”“You knew?” David asked.“The whole town knew ... all of us. You don’t peach on Adams Faxon. He was worse than his father ... and that’s going it some.”“How long have the Faxons been running things?” I asked.“Since before my great grand Da was born. Years and years. My family, the Cooks, have kept a secret. ’ You say as you get up from the chair, you grab the papers from my hands and set them down on the exam table next to me. ‘I just had to see your smile again.’ Your hand touches my cheek and you lean in to kiss me, ever so gently. I melt into the kiss and my cares fly away. I forget about my bad day. I forget about how frazzled I was. Immediately, I feel heat and pressure building between my legs. ‘Wait.’ I command. Your lips break from mine, but your hand doesn’t move. Hovering above my lips,.