I shook my head. “But you don’t even know me,” I said. “You have no idea who I am. You know nothing about me.”“I know you’re hurt and ne...d a friend right now. That’s what I am trying to be for you, Billie. Not everyone is bad or mean.”Kate sat beside me while I cried, blubbered and sniffled. When I’d finished spilling tears, she stood and put out a hand. “Please, Billie, come with me for at least today and tonight. Eat something, have a hot shower, put on clean clothes, and have a sleep. If you. "Most of these men -- and a few are women, too -- are fans themselves. Getting to rub elbows with Zeke the Streak would be a huge side-benefit for them -- a little reward for getting themselves involved in Little League, or summer league, baseball."Interesting. She knew about my nickname. "You really think I could help, there?" No doubt! Listen, I know some of these people. I'm a volunteer coach myself, in Summer League. I'll give you a schedule of our activities, games, practices -- the works.. They're family to us," said Shannon, smiling as she purposely left the simile, "like" out of the sentence."But you and Whit are newlyweds. You need your privacy," observed her Mom."It's a big house, Mom. Whit and I will have plenty of chances to be alone," she grinned, not telling her parents that many nights, all four of them planned to sleep in the same king-sized bed. "I'm really having fun with this game," she thought."What about kids?" asked her Dad."What about them?" asked Shannon with. When she pulled into thegarage and turned off the motor, she leaned over and gave me agentle peck on the cheek. "I love you, sweetheart," she saidquietly. "Men may be men, but I've always loved the woman in you." I love you too," I replied, meaning it sincerely. But I felt verydifferent from hours and hours ago, when we'd left the house. Wewent upstairs without a word, and as she undid her dress and pulledit over her head, I did the same with mine. Then my chemise -- shewasn't wearing one..