”He had purchased, based on a Google translation from a Japanese website, a kit that would upgrade the suspension and let us bolt on bigger off-road...tires that were rated for dirt and sand. In addition, there was a bigger fuel tank, a GPS and a holder for a hand-held radio. Dean was a mod-a-holic!The day finally arrived. Friday and not a damn thing got done at school. Most teachers didn’t even try to teach anything, rather they did their best to keep the students’ chatter to a dull roar and. Piotr had wanted nothing to do with it, and his uncle had promised to leave him alone, leave him out of everything. And the one additional promise Piotr had demanded of his uncle, as a wedding gift was to never, ever, harm me.But promises from such men are worse than useless because you can make the mistake of believing them... I was in the kitchen when it happened. I heard arguing at the front door. I came out of the kitchen, my seventh month of pregnancy making me awkward, although Piotr said. Dark clouds had begun to form and the sun was gone. The wind had increased and I felt the temperature had dropped a few degrees since I had been on the lift. “We have to take shelter or we will die out here. Trust me. I have lived here all my life and I know how the weather can turn on you.” “Okay, lead the way, but go slow.” He put his arm around my waist and we began the slow walk to the cabin over fallen trees, branches, and upturned rocks. After a few hundred yards I realized my ribs. "I'll be back in just a moment, won't you sit down?" Maria sat down on the sofa looking around at the decor and furnishings while Brett walked over to the security system and pressed a button. "Can't be too careful, even in this neighborhood!" He smiled reassuringly at her. Then he went off to the kitchen, returning a couple of moments later with two drinks."I remembered that you were drinking screwdrivers that night at the bar–I hope that's all right." Um... yeah that's fine, thank you." Maria.