‘Hey now! I’m being serious here.’ But his eyes so weren’t. That’s how the evening progressed, with Sean engaging her in playful banter, tel...ing stories, making observations, teasing her and making her laugh. The delicate skip of piano jazz and surrounding chatter faded into a distant soundtrack. It was the lightest, most in-the-moment, she’d felt in, gosh, over a year. * * * * * ‘So when’s the last time you had a really good home-cooked meal?’ Sean asked after the dishes were cleared. Ana. The solar storm had caught us by surprise and left me, Sheila, and the sisters dazed and off balance. "This morning's meeting of the Society is going to be critical," the commander said as she tapped the table with her finger for emphasis. "We need a plan, and we need it fast. I need your help. I can't do this alone," she said with a sigh as she took a slow sip from the red enamel cup, handcrafted by the Sisterhood's pottery workshop, and waited for me to respond. "I thought giving orders was. I have this problem, and I hope you can..." Ma'am, are you aware that weekends are time-and-a half? And house calls run an extra fifty on top of that." Money's no object. I need help and I need it now. How soon can you get here?"I went through the hurry-up drill. A quick shit and a shower and a shave. Squeaky clean both inside and out. I gargled with a proprietary brand of mouthwash for non-offensive breath. Then into traveling clothes -- silk shirt with ruffles, and skin-tight velour pants. Kate smugly placed her hands on her haunches and spoke in a slow, determinate, yet menacing voice, “This will have consequences. Don't worry, little boy, I am not going to leave you, but I will have my revenge on you and it will make you regret even thinking of screwing this bimbo. Mark my words, wimp. I'll make sure you'll remember my revenge by the mere thought of cheating on me. Ever. Again. Capito?”Unable to form coherent syllables, let alone entire words, Rick desperately tried to regain.