"Yeah, some. Enough to get by when it comes to food and that stuff. Not to talk to the natives, though. There's plenty of tourists - just not gangs of...them.'"Yeah, ' Ned put in, "I went to Acapulco a couple of years ago. I almost couldn't find a place to sit on the beach. Never again. But there's lots of pleasant places in Mexico that aren't too crowded. And I like Cabo San Lucas. How come no pictures of you?'"Oh, I went alone.' Toni turned to Rudy. "You had vacation this year?'"No, no. We're. The sky was a harsh blue, not a speck of cloud anywhere, and there, creeping up over the horizon was the hellish sun, It’s fiery wrath pouring down on the dead ground. I closed my eyes against the glare and made no attempt to seek shade. More then once out here I’d wished that the sun could burn away my memories as easily as it burned away the life of this place. I’d been crossing the desert for…I don’t even know how many days. I’d lost track. I stumbled along in a stupor, half-insane from. ?Do you think you've been punished enough, Heather?? he asked.?Yes,? I said quickly. Definitely.?I disagree, but I prefer a change in venue. Wash your hands.?I washed my hands thoroughly. Mark pulled my dress down and led me back out to the parking lot.?Get in. I'll return the bathroom key to Ralph,? he said, unlocking the door to the car.We drove for over a half hour. I realized he was taking us to one of the sketchy parts of town. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been to this area. He. When I re-emerged I apologized out of tonight's date, telling him I needed to run some errands for my mother. His face only showed momentary concern, but a smile quickly returned.I kissed him on the forehead on the way out.***Charles, my mother's husband, had left for his month long trip this morning so I used my spare key to let myself in the house. I walked down the long entrance hall calling my mother's name. No one responded. I walked back to the front door and opened it noting her car was.