Although she’d long been looking forwards to this day, it was also with some trepidation that she’d also started the hunt to find digs for herself...in the area. She scoured through the local newspapers and studied the student notice-boards, but it was the note in the window of an Asian newsagent’s where she spotted the advertisement to flatshare Susan’s apartment at what was a remarkably reasonable rate. She took a note of the number on her pocket PC, and dialed it on her mobile phone. The girl. " It was flattering, but at the same time, it was like she was trying way too hard. It made him feel like it wasn't about him at all, but just about grabbing the nearest floating debris after a shipwreck."And five minutes waiting for our food," she corrected. "But it's enough. Randy barely even talks anymore, and when he does it's always about dominating somebody."Gulp. "What does he do?" You mean when he does anything? His new thing is sales. Industrial equipment, I think. Before that he did. Unlike my job as treasurer, this was work for remuneration so I got paid, a pittance to be sure, but money of my own! Additional jobs began to come my way as word got around that I was cheap and good. At age 35 I had begun to develop a career. What I didn't realize was that I had stumbled into information technology, an industry that would grow beyond all imagination during the next two decades.I gave most of my earnings to my husband, secretly hoarding only what I needed to buy a new party. "I just mean ... with this whole situation ... I mean, I'm sure money isn't a problem. But you said that this kind of theft could be crippling. I mean ... uh. Don't you think it's safer not to spend on some things unless you really, uh ... Well, how ARE your finances now that... ? Oh, shit." WE'RE FINE," I thundered. Joey quailed again, and I forced myself to calm down once again. Ashlyn held her tightly, and as I gathered myself, I stated in a quieter voice, "We're fine. This is a big hit. No.