’ I hissed that last word, the true sting of Shale’s nickname finally hitting me. ‘Someone who can’t even lie to him for his own good, who mig...t not even stick around. I can’t saddle him with someone like me forever. I won’t. I…’ ‘Love him.’ I nodded, dejected, and curled in on myself again. She shuffled over and put her arm around my shoulder. ‘You’re not feeble, dearest. You’re not a burden. You’re a beautiful woman who could have curled up in hysterics until this was all over and no one. It was a huge relief. I was afraid of how he was going to react after witnessing some of the things I've been telling him about all week. I was relieved when I heard his voice. I didn't get the impression that he was going to throw me out of the house.I was able to walk out to the car with his help. As soon as we were outside I asked, "How's Piper holding up?"He laughed quietly. I looked at him. I couldn't believe he found humor in this. He grinned at me and said, "After I stretched her out in. And the cost! Where's he going to get that kind of loot? From the tooth fairy?"Nancy's teary eyes widened and she was most indignant, " Well, why not. She has all those dimes." Oh, sweetie," her dad blundered on, " There is no tooth fairy, you mum and I have been slipping those dimes under your pillow." No tooth fairy? " Nancy whispered in horror then the tear duct dam burst and she bawled her eyes out inconsolable for two whole hours.That's how Christmas a few years ago changed Nancy's life. ... she had gotten engaged. I hid my true feelings for her and acted excited for her. We hugged and things went back to normal. Lynn, Jodi and myself began hanging out on a regular basis again. We got back to joking around except I found Jodi more flirtatious. Lynn has told her and Karen about our sexual escapade. Jodi, who had never had oral sex, found the story extremely titillating. I knew this because one night when Jodi went to the bathroom, Lynn told me. So I had an idea....A few nights.