"Well sissy, I think I would like to see you out of those pants, how wouldyou feel about taking a short walk back to my place? If you're good...wemay...even be able to do something about those full balls of yours." As shesaid this her hand gave his thigh a squeeze."I think I would like that very much miss."They made idle small talk for a few more minutes as they finished theirdrinks, she insisted on paying the tab, and stepped outside. As it turnedout she lived only a few blocks from Riley's. . Look, I saw her yesterday, okay? Not in what you'd consider reality, but she was there. What's the story? Did she die at birth?" I was sounding less pleasant and more demanding."Honey... Shortly after you were conceived, the doctor told us you were... special. You had both male and female sex chromosomes. We opted for gene therapy before you developed along too far, so you could have a normal life," she explained in her best caring mother voice.I felt the oddest sensation of vertigo. I sat. It was ten AM, but she looked wiped out. I had to ask, "Morning sickness?" Sheila nodded and waved me through. I followed her back to the music room. Soft piano music was playing. Sheila sat next to a cup of colored ice cubes and stuck one in her mouth. It had to be Gatorade, or something like it. Nice trick. Cold liquids stay down better.Sheila said, "Most days are not this bad. I need a favor. I was supposed to meet someone at the airport. They understand Sean will be tied up. Barbara's a. You are supposed to move when buffalo run at you.’ Her mouth twitched with the ghost of a smile. He returned it ruefully, wondering how she knew about the goring. ‘My father, the chief, told me to falter before nothing.’ She wrinkled her nose with disdain. ‘The tree stands tall and straight before the woodsman’s axe, but Willow fronds bend before the wind and do not break.’ ‘I know this.’ He spoke like a boy being chided. ‘I don’t know why I held my ground when the great beast charged. For days.