I think I got a little turned on.”“That’s normal, too,” said Hannah, which caused me to drop my fork.She looked at me and said, “Is that all...that happened?”“I’m really sorry,” I moaned, avoiding the question. “I didn’t expect it, and it just happened.”“You’re a man,” she said. “I’d have been surprised if it hadn’t happened, under the circumstances. Like I said, it’s good to know you’re not gay.”“Gay?” Harper stopped eating and looked at both of us with interest.“I was a little concerned about. ?Why?....What kind of questions??, she somewhat stuttered.Dawg grabbed her hand, twisted it up behind her back and forced her to bend over the hood of the police car. Dong came up, grabbed her other hand and cuffed her wrists behind her back.?What are you doing?? she cried, ?You don’t have the right to do this to me.?Dawg gave her three hard swats, grabbed a handful of hair and yanked her upright. ?Lady, in this town, we’re the law and the sole determinators of what we have the right to. In the Safeway Store, Ruby again felt the need to rein Jimmy in as he started to buy everything in sight."Jimmy, just get one small roast and two steaks. There is no room in that little electric icebox for anything more than you already got here. Let's get taters and onions and beans and just a few fresh vegetables."She paused, "Oh yes, we need milk and bacon and eggs and grits. Better get more butter. That is," she amended, "if you're of a mind to." She was afraid she had begun to get too. The first time I saw her, she was dueling an invisible opponent in the library parking lot, gracefully twirling her foil and lunging ahead like a crazed ballerina. A few weeks later, we were naked in bed, legs brushing idly against one another. Passion was three hours over – or was it about to begin? Kissing her lips lightly, I nudge her to lie on her stomach, which she does without opening her eyes. I want her; I savor her beauty as the tips of my fingers graze over her soft back. Cynthia.