He only catches a glimpse as she is surrounded by her girlfriends. Finally, math class comes. She arrives. The world spins. He closes his eyes, breath... deep, eyes open; she is sitting in front of him, turning around to look at him. She’s holding a piece of paper, that math homework, ‘B’ at the top. ‘Good job’ underneath. She smiles as she shows him. It doesn’t register. He hears “thank you” and she’s gone, back of her head, beautiful head. Class completes, bell rings, she is gone. He walks out. Everything was ruined in Hope Crossing. Couldn't Waltsee that? He wasn't a dull man. He just didn't want to see it, that'swhat Marcia was thinking, wringing a napkin to death between herworrisome fingers. She was sitting on the park bench beneath the EdgarBirdwell statue, hidden behind dark glasses, the first time she'd shownher face in town for days after Grace's disclosure."You don't understand. This is a friendship of a half century! They kneweach other since kindergarten. Do you know how it. After Howie andMitch take them home ... they ... well ... ah ... you know what Imean." John's face turned a brilliant scarlet."They did appear rather excited. Didn't they?" Andy grinned. "Itmight make a very interesting sight to watch those two bumbling idiotsEddie Joe and Bobby Ray waking up in some strange bed next to Howieand Mitch." Andy's grin widened. "Especially since those two willremember every little detail about what they've said and done whilethey were sexy young women. But. Did Jenny lead you towards any other insights about your or others behaviour”“I started to tell Jenny about Abby’s problem with her boyfriend but Jenny stopped me, saying that Abby probably didn’t want what she had told me passing on.”“That’s right, Abby told me of her problem, not the details so I gave her the same advice I gave out thirty years ago, about the long walk on a short pier. I assume from what you said earlier Abby doesn’t know of Rachael’s close call.”“I don’t believe she does.