I eased it open and, thanks to all the lightning outside, I could see Daddy lying in bed. He was sound asleep.I tried to wake him, but he slept on. No... knowing quite what to do, I crawled into bed. I always did that when I was a little girl, crawling into bed between my parents if a storm woke me in the night, but when I was about 11 Mom had finally insisted that I was getting too old to do that. I gently lifted Daddy's arm and curled under it and pressed back against him. His warm breath. ” I turned and walked to an armchair facing Sharon ’s desk a few feet away. Close enough to talk if she had further questions, and so I could see her well, should she happen to get up. Being a guy, and an artist, I was always looking at people, mostly women for ideas on art projects that I could use as my memories would allow. Sharon did indeed get up from her desk, and carried a clip board over to where I was seated. She stopped just short of my knees and leaned toward me to show. " We going where I think?" Thomas asked. I nodded and he said, "Let me stop at my car and get my Colt." He laughed at the look on my face. "Hey if you can carry so can I."The service station looked like any other on a busy intersection. There were four pumps and two open bays where the actual mechanical work was done. I pulled my truck in front of an empty bay and got out of the truck. As I did, Jim Dawkins, the man that owned the station, came over to meet me. I knew him by sight if not. ’ She winced. ‘I think we’ve made her harder to control now since she wants to come live with us.’ ‘What do you think Beverly will do?’ ‘I don’t know, but I know we need custody.’ ‘We’ve got an appointment with Marjorie in two days.’ ‘I know.’ They arrived at the house just then. ‘Promise me we’ll take her.’ He parked into the driveway as he answered, ‘She’s mine, baby.’ Sliding out of her seat, she shook her head. ‘No, she’s not. She’s ours.’ He came around the truck to wrap her in his arms..