She then took what still existed from the torn dress, and formed a bundle, so she could carry her share of their provisions — he hadn’t thought be...ore of letting her carry his bundle, or maybe hadn’t trusted her to do it. He liked the way she looked, walking naked, slightly bent forward, with the load on her back, her breasts small but still large enough to sway in the rhythm of her steps.He gave himself pleasure with her more often now, sometimes also during the day, when they took short rests. After they were seated, she came by with this behemoth.“Hello, everybody,” she said. “I took your advice, and I found this guy at the University of Portland. He’s on the soccer team, the Portland Pilots – he’s a sophomore at UoP. Out to dinner with your girlfriend’s parents, it must be serious, Sarah!”“We’re practically engaged,” Sari said in return. “Daddy, do you remember Marsha Shimmer?”I could see that he was distracted, so I had Joy kick him, to which he said, “Yes, I do remember you .... He complains that it's hard to get white girls broken in to like it.” I sipped my coffee, listening mostly, even when she slowed down for a minute to catch her breath. “I think that's what Javon likes about her too,” she said with a nasty grin. “Sorry Ainsely,” she added in mock remorse. I controlled myself. No tears. That would be silly and immature.“Yes, Javon told me he'd seen Lisa a couple of times,” I told her, measuring my words carefully, “although it was more like she was chasing after. “No offense, but I don’t trust cops. How about you take me to Deacon’s house to drop off the scooter,” I suggested to Ash.Once in the car I said, “You need to stay with Marcy. She doesn’t need to be alone.”“I know, but thanks for saying it,” she said with a smile. “And you are welcome to stay with us.”“Let’s see how things go with Deacon,” I said. I didn’t tell her I had worked hundreds of protection details over my almost twenty years in the Air Force. I knew what I was doing. I also knew how.