I stood holding the door knob for several seconds. Finally I realized that I wasn't starting an entirely new life. Much of my old life, notably Jeanne... my daughters, the people on the other side of this door and my profession were part of the fabric of my being. I could never reject those parts of my life. Jeanne was wrestling with similar issues. While she was now a slut, she was still a woman of substance. She continued to take pride in her professional prowess. She was a skilled, reliable. ’ He paused, and then continued, ‘I do not care a rat’s ass what any woman thinks about the way I try to make them better persons.’ ‘Is that what you think you are doing for Antonia?’ ‘If I was not doing that for her, there is no way on this earth she would be in bed with you now.’ ‘Is that true, little one? Is that why you are here tonight? He gave you the courage to come up here, and try something that you would never have tried under any other circumstance?’ ‘Yes, Celeste, he is right. He. She led him in the parlor, sat on the couch, and insisted he lay with his head in her lap as they chatted. He asked about Katie. Rebecca said she was finishing up some last minute work before she took off for Christmas. She twirled his hair as they caught up on each other’s lives. Rebecca had big news.“I’m so excited, Jacob,” she said, “I finished my book and sent a copy to a couple of publishers. One showed enough interest to call me. I have been assigned an editor, his name is Lamonte. He. In today’s corporate world, where even the minor executive is expected to work for the company practically round the clock, this put her at a definite disadvantage, and one is moved to suspect that she got away with it only because….. Oh well — you will be wondering how I know all this I’m sure, and all will presently fall into place. But to begin at the beginning….. During the long reflective hours on the fishing boat I hired out of Cabos San Lucas I had come to the conclusion that I needed.