I stopped his strike and in turn lashed out at him with my free hand. The first blow struck him in the chest with enough force that it staggered him a...d knocked him backwards. The second blow struck him in the crook of his sword arm. The blow numbed his arm and he dropped his weapon. The third strike was with my elbow as I pulled my arm backwards from the second blow. This hit him in his face and broke his nose. As blood spurted from this orifice, I sidestepped the man, still holding his arm,. You wanna hit a club after she bails?”Eric laughed. “No can do, I promised the boy we could watch the Sponge Bob movie on my big screen TV after the fireworks. Me, Gina and the boy gonna make it a sleepover, I got popcorn in four different flavors, the whole works. Then Saturday morning we are all going to head over to Home Depot for the children’s workshop. Lad is going to build a birdhouse.”“Okay Eric, sounds like fun for everyone.” I prayed the kid would hit Gina in the head with a hammer.. ’ The girls thanked him dubiously and assured him they would be all right and he turned away sadly and went into his warm house. They sat silently for some minutes still numb from the events of the last two days. Ulric left the girls to their ‘feast’ and left the house. He walked quickly to the cottage of Vosta and Alicia and rapped at the door. The door was answered by Alicia who blushed spontaneously when she saw him. ‘Your nieces have arrived unexpectedly from the north. I have had no. Lost in my reverie, I had not heard her come through the back gate.Suddenly very aware of my present situation I scrambled to cover with my top and turn off my toy. “Leslie, what a surprise, what are you doing here. I wasn’t expecting anyone out here.” I rambled somewhat incoherently in my embarrassment and confusion.“Oh, don’t stop on my account honey,” she laughed at me winking, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”I was a bit baffled. She had a coy smirk on her face, not the rage I expected given.