” Before I knew what was going on she had her arms around me. She hugged me tight against herself. “Thank you. You have no idea how hard it has be...n to make any friends in this town and I have just been so damn lonely.” I was shocked and to be honest, I felt a little guilty. Why hadn't I reached out to her earlier? I had no idea she was having so much trouble making friends. “Oh, I wish we had become friends earlier, especially if friendship comes with hugs like this. Not to be rude or anything. What humans considered sexual promiscuity, bonobos employed casually to establish and preserve social tranquility. It had occurred to me when I read it that our own social conventions might learn a lesson or two from that. To her, what she was doing to me was the equivalent of grooming. She was treating me as one of her own. Yet, how could she find me attractive when I was a different species. My best guess was that physical attraction wasn't what prompted them to this behavior.I watched her. I’ll wait here for you.”“Thanks,” I said, “but you don’t have to: I have no idea how long I’ll be. If I don’t come back, please tell the police which way I went.”Jay nodded.Swerving around a CDC notice that had seemingly been placed intentionally in the middle of the track to block it, I continued along the path Jay and I had been following. Perhaps the painkillers were kicking in or perhaps the absence of farm-vehicle ruts made the going easier, but I was able to pick up the pace somewhat,. He asked, “Just how many weapons do you have with you? We’ll have to confiscate them all.” He was interrupted by someone I’d seen coming. It was six foot six inches of Judge Thomas, silver hair, boots, Stetson hat and all. His voice rumbled from deep in his chest, “Steve, don’t you have anything better to do than fuck with my special investigators?” Have I mentioned Judge Thomas is a federal Judge? The Assistant District Attorney excused himself and scurried off.My Darling reached for the Judge.