”We rode companionably along, then she gave me the break I’d been counting on. “Mind if I smoke?”“I don’t, not at all. But this is a renta..., it’ll cost me like two hundred bucks.”“Oh.”“Tell you what. I wouldn’t mind a hit myself. I’ll pull over at the next exit.”“Cool.”Just two gals, chilling.Except Balukas looked like she was about 50. Careworn face, trembly hands, raspy smoker’s voice. She was exhibiting the usual opioid withdrawal symptoms — yawning, sweating, runny nose. She looked like she. . I was being looked after by my 15 year old cousin…. This is what happened as I remember it… She had come straight from school so was still wearing her school uniform, a white blouse, a knee length pleated skirt, a pair of tights and small heels.. Her hair was medium length dark and scrunched back in a pony tail. Where it began First was bath time… I was more than old enough to take baths on my own now, but Sonya insisted on coming in to help wash my back…whilst in the bath she ran her hands. .. the watch less traveled by ... the one we were supposed to exchange before we went on vacation ... at your house, Junior. Wasn't it?" asked Seven."Don't remind me ... that was an awful two weeks. You guys are messy and I'm the maid." You didn't complain," said Two."So long as the guests behave themselves, employees of the Princessapality Hotel and Island Resort are not to complain about the residents." Junior looked sour. "Rule Number 16 in the manual." Oh." Oh's ass ... you think you guys. The first night he’d noticed her was at a ball two towns across from his childhood home. She was dancing with her fiancé, but he hadn’t noticed that, he noticed the way her red curls fell so effortlessly over her cheeks and the way her smiling eyes reflected the candlelight. He made hundreds of strange, tiny observations about the intricate details of her face, but barely remembered to ask her name. They shared uncountably many shy glances, just enough dances not to seem scandalous, and a fiery.