‘Hi Jen, and welcome to you too.’ ‘Did I just hear your brother singing…tell me my fucking ears aren’t lying to me?’ Laura laughed, ‘Do ...ou see anyone else in here?’ They were in Taylor’s gym slash recording studio. ‘Holly shit, I remembered you telling me that Taylor could sing, what you forgot to mention, is the fact that he can sing fucking better than anyone we know.’ ‘Yes Jen, I know that, and now you know that, tell it to Mr. Pruts over here,’ she indicated in Taylor’s general direction.. He was concerned about the dogs returning and wanted to be ready and able to keep any interruptions from our observers, particularly since Carolyn was not very mobile.The observers, Ann and Carolyn, were at the ridge line with Laura and me. Laura was there to take notes but I was there to shoot animals as necessary. Back about twenty feet were Bennie, Kevin, and Amos. They were spread out in a semi-circle. Everyone but Carolyn, Ann and Laura were well armed.We were ready for trouble today.. I got a fewcheers and a few more pats on the back as we made our way over to therefreshments table. Ms Raymond, one of the English teachers, was pouringthe punch. She had her long, dark hair pulled back into a long ponytail,and looked young enough and pretty enough to be one of my classmates.She smiled at me and handed me a glass, saying, "Great game, Jason."Ms Henry, the girls' coach, handed me another glass for Marla. "Have youdecided where you're going to play your college ball yet?" Well,". Besides," she added with a soft smile, reaching over tostroke my cheek, "I'd like to stay with you. If I can."Thankfully, my milkshake was empty or we would have been wearing it. Myhands were shaking so hard that the couple sitting in the seats behindus looked around wondering where the clattering rattle was coming from,though. Melinda, to her credit, didn't laugh or even comment on mydiscomfort. She just waited for me to recompose myself."I--are you sure you...want to?" I asked hesitantly.Her.