"I can't hear you, faggot," he said."Yes," said Carlos."Yes what?" asked Jake."Yes, sir, I understand," gritted Carlos.Jake glanced around Carlos, loo...ing at Tommy.Tommy sounded almost panicky. "Who, me?" he asked stupidly.Stephen must have kicked him under the table, because he jerked, and quickly stammered, "Yeah, okay, I understand, I don't know nothin'."I turned to Stephen. "Here's the deal," I informed him. "Either Jake and I can find your buddy Richie, or you can talk to him about this.. . if there is to be one,” I said.“Oh, you can count on us having a future,” she smiled, squeezing my hand. “That is, if you want one.”“That goes under the heading of silly questions. I do love you, Naomi, and if I can convince you, I want you for the rest of my life. I want you as my wife and mother of our children.”“If we had this conversation two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to commit to you, Joel. I wasn’t ready and I needed time to look at what I wanted for my future. I realized. Then she uncrossed her legs exposing her bare crotch to me before standing up and exiting the coach. Gayly, she bounced up the steps to introduce herself to Margaret and Mildred. I was completely baffled by her behavior and unable to say or do anything.All of the visitors were given separate rooms and after freshening up met again in the parlor. After a reasonable time Mr. Somerly insisted that he be allowed to work on the quarterly records. He was given full access to the library while Adam. She seemed in a little bubble, no one was talking to her right then and she was simply looking at me. I had trouble looking away for some reason.At one point she slid her gaze toward the patio door and back to me. I thought she wanted to dance again and I swallowed nervously. I nodded and she headed out into the backyard. I waited a few moments and went out there myself. I didn't see her right away. I had expected her on the dance floor. Then I caught a flash of color off to the side, near the.