. anything, you can count on me." Uh-uh, then I'd be dependent on you instead of the parents. No, Sandy, what I need to do is become independent, not ...ransfer my dependency." You're sixteen, Josh. There's no rush." I disagree. You were eighteen when your rift with the parents took place. Mine could come any day. So, here's my plan. I've spoken with a guidance counselor at my school. There's a way for me to test out of high school, and I'm going to take it. With a high school degree, I can start. Well, it happened to me. I went and I saw. I took a chance to get out and do something, and in doing something I became a somebody. Sure it’s nothing anyone will recognise here, nothing that will mean anything to anyone except me and the people I shared my experience with, but it’s got to be better than nothing. Surely? I took my chance to make a difference, to improve, to better, to enhance, to help, whatever you want it to be. I gave these people a way forward, a chance at life, a gift far. I actually understand, my girlfriend in high school didsomething similar on Halloween one year, and I really learned a lot fromthe experience. I have to say though you make a really hot girl, a lotbetter than I did." You really think so?" Jessica answered blushing."Yeah, and it's up to you, but if you'd let me, I'd like to teach you afew more things about being a girl," he said.Jessica sat in silence for a moment. She knew what Kyle had in mind, butwasn't sure if she was ready to do this. . The tension was so thick that it could counterbalance a black hole. Well 2 blackholes to be precise. Then suddenly a thin wail rose and developed into a full scale baby cry. Mausmi's daughter had woken and was crying hard. It broke our reverie and we all stirred up, but avoiding each others eyes if we could help it. "looks like zanu is hungry. Neelu, can you get her over here please?" I sat there and watched Neelam put the baby in Mausmi's lap, adjust a bib around her neck and Mausmi fumbling.