Ted started laughing at his son. “What are you laughing so hard at, I know the three of us have had you in much worse shape, and I would think Maril...n has seen as bad or worse after all these years.”“I have when he started chasing me,” Marilyn said.“Weren’t we headed out back and yes I will be admiring all the views thank you all. And you four women will remember you had a chance at a little kid.” Was all the lame noise I could think of.Then Pam said, “The shit is getting way to thick in here. I'm such a... bumpkin. I can't even hug back, or say anything, or --"She scowled mildly and held up a cautioning hand. "Hold on, hold on, there, just... just hold it a second." She turned her face away, toward the window, seeming suddenly lost in thought. Then to my dismay she held a palm to her cheek and seemed no longer thoughtful but simply taken aback, possibly shocked. Then she whispered, her face still toward the window, "'Scuze me," and with her other hand she used a knuckle to dab at an. "For not telling me how high the wall is and that there are spikes on top."She spread her robe on the bench. "I'm leaking, what can I use to catch the drip?"I gave her my shorts, which she placed on the robe to protect it. We took seats, straddling the bench and facing each other."I was so happy that you called. I could hear that you didn't score at the wedding in your voice." Passed, I passed, twice," I corrected her, moving forward. She placed her legs on top of mine, and I moved closer."I. Hoping for what? I didn’t know; perhaps hoping that she would see me and come running out to greet me. I felt a little relieved to find that there was no sign of movement in the house even though the lights were on and I started to walk onwards. I decided that I would turn around and head back to the car. Curiosity satisfied, I could go home.I wasn’t expecting the woman standing in front of me with two shopping bags full to the brim to be calling out my name.“Richard?”I was startled. My mouth.