“You did your segment live and he probably wants to hear it. Sorry -- no one told me we needed an air check tonight. Are you going to be doing the w...ather live going forward?”“Yes, for a while. Melvin thinks doing it live will help build my confidence.”“If he wants air checks, ask him to send me an email to that effect and to copy the chief engineer on it. We’ll make sure it gets done.”“Thanks, Jason.” He watched her exit the room.“She’s cute,” Aja remarked.“Yeah, I think she’ll do okay. Aja. "How's the area around the dock entrance?" It's clear, Max. I'm monitoring the area and no one's doing anything they shouldn't be." Right. See you in a few minutes."We arrived and moved quickly through the transit shaft and into my ship. Inside, I directed them to the galley, telling them I'd be there in a little while, and headed for the bridge. Once there, I closed the hatch and fell into the command chair. I sat there and stared up at nothing for a minute. I needed to calm down. I had felt. Part of our weekend ritual is to stand together immediately upon rising,the three of us hand in hand and looking one-an-other in the eyes, torepeat the simple prayer 'one day at a time sweet Jesus, one day at atime'. It's part of my solitary weekday ritual, too. As it is, I'massured, also part of both their rituals. Well, it's more than a ritual.It's an act of dedication and an acknowledgement of the need we have ...or at least I have ... of the strength and support freely available toundertake. But when you're sucking a cock,it's hard to tell the difference." Is there one?" I don't know." So you and Flower were lovers?" Not just that. She was my sister. My lover. My guide. No one can kiss theway Flower kisses. No one is so sweet in bed. When I was with her, Idreamed of taking her away from this, of being with her, the gayness of itall be damned. I know that down deep, she's a boy. I know that down deep,she can make me forget that I am. She's in love with Mistress, of course.But I.