“And she’s proud of you.” It was stated more than asked. “There’s always that,” Jessica responded. “Why do I get the feeling that you ar...n’t being completely honest with me?” I asked my sister after a few seconds of silence. Jessica laughed, and it wasn’t a giggle or some sarcastic sneer, but all-out laughter. As it began to subside she said, “As the saying goes, Kiley: You can’t handle the truth.” “I can handle anything you or anyone else can throw at me,” I told her, kind of jutting my chest. I barely had time to even wonder about what might have been when Erin and Mary came out smiling.“Hey, Steve, I was talking to Mary,” Erin smirked. “Want to play some chess with us?”“Chess?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “First of all, Mary has a boyfriend. Second, I’m taking things very slowly right now.”“Steve Adams is turning down a threesome?” Mary asked quietly. “No way!”“Mary, you know I have to turn you down no matter what. You know my rule. I’d turn Melanie down, too.”“Oh, poo!” Mary. As usual Sue had gone topless and as usual D kept covered up, more's the pity I thought!After freshening up we had a luscious evening barbecue helped down with a bottle or two of Pinot Grigio, relaxed on the patio and chatted. As more wine was quaffed the conversation got around D getting a man. She was quite adamant that she wasn't interested and couldn't be bothered to chase around finding someone. By now Sue was pretty squiffy and without any warning just blurted out. "But don't you miss the. Walking to the bathroom, he knew ashower would help him feel better, the warm water cleansing him fromthe stresses of the day. Stripping out of his clothing, he steppedinto the shower, feeling the hot spray against his skin as he squeezedout a fair amount of the body wash onto the new loofa he had purchased,barely even detecting the faint scent of lavender as he latheredhimself up.As the warm water flowed over his body, he could feel himself relaxingmore and more, letting his cares slip away.