’ ‘Well that’s not surprising because we mostly talk about sex.’ Rosie blushed and couldn’t believe it when her mother brushed the air with ...er hand and said that was a conversation subject healthy young people would be expected to dwell on. Chess laughed and said he’d said that to see how she’d react. ‘Oh you won’t embarrass me talking about sex,’ Brenda said. ‘I’ve been up to my ears in it since I was… well young and still enjoy naughty afternoons.’ Rosie boggled at that declaration. It was. Well, I asked and after some thought she agreed, and we met that night at a hotel restaurant in downtown Seoul. She'd arrived before I did, so we went in and directly to the coat check. I helped her off with her coat and handed it to the attendant, who immediately noticed the label inside. I looked at it as she hung it up and very clearly read; 'Gianni Versace, Roma'. Even I knew that coat probably cost more than my car, and that, plus the diamond tennis bracelet and necklace she wore, told me. It was totally bizarre to be ten and realize I was in love with a grown-up man, that I knew in my soul it wasn’t puppy love or a crush, and that I would love him forever. It was carved in stone. It was in the positions of the stars. Those things were set and constant, and so was my heart.I sympathized with Aileen because I knew what she was feeling, but I also was a mom, trying to keep my daughter from growing up too fast. She is a different person. She wasn’t picked by the planner. Perhaps her. "Any friend of Jean's is a friend of mine. I could pop over in half an hour?" Oh thank you," she said with a smile. "Bye Jean, catch you later."Lisa wandered off and Jean turned to me and winking, said, "Good luck." Sure you don't want a little attention yourself Jean?" I asked."Not today John, I'm a little tender in some places. But soon I hope," she said with a smile.Half an hour later, taking my rolling toolbox with me, I knocked at Lisa's door."Oh Hi John, come on in, it's a bit of a mess.