“May I join you?” She asked. She lay down on the grass beside me and leaned over and kissed my shoulder.Then she whispered, “We are in the Garde... of Eden.” The Sun had moved (or maybe the Earth) and the leaves of the apple tree created a dappled light on our bodies. Jenneke was there too and the clicking of the shutter. I was no longer concerned or surprised. I rolled on to my back and looked up and directly into my lover, the camera lens.“Mila says we are in the Garden of Eden.”“Indeed we are,. Your partner has been selected as the closest possible psychological match to you."Tristan took a sidelong glance at Dionysia. Well, it could have been a whole lot worse.The students were pushed hard. Most nights Tristan collapsed on his bed totally exhausted. The first year, they were trained in using the artificial intelligences hidden deep underground on the home worlds of the main species. They had been installed before the genetically modified beings gained prominence, each AI. I did make one concession to the fragility of the bike, I rebuilt an electric version with two 250 watt motors. The range was small but in a push I could get to the donut shop. That bike was slower, had less range, but really was more dependable. As long as the batteries were charged it would go. There were no electronics to screw up just a simple on off switch.I was practicing my future life without an autombile that afternoon. I was at the lake with a couple of antigue cameras making pictures. Besides, it was a good way to keep tabs on Edwin.Although Delores closed the main door to the office behind her, the door between Cal’s office and the waiting room was open. He heard a clump-clump of heavy shoes sounding on the stairs. His first appointment in the afternoon wasn’t due until two. It was probably someone trying to sell something or looking for a donation. If they knocked, he wouldn’t answer. They’d get the message and go away.The steps kept coming—heavy, but slow. The door opened.