“Not the baby,” he corrected her, giving her a frown. Why was that woman still here? “The ant queens have all come to honor the baby as their ne... ruler.” He spent the next few minutes describing the queen and recounting the conversation.“I’m going to hunt,” Mei said, pulling away from the wall. “Let me know when it’s time to leave for the other world.”“You’re coming with us?” he asked his half-sister. As far as he knew, she rarely ever left this world. Only to act as protection when they were. I It was too late I had to let it go. I was certain that my answer to Ludmilla was going to come up soon. But nothing happened in class, during lunch break, or during our next evening tea. Then when I thought the whole thing had blown over it returned with a vengeance,It was three weeks later on the Arbat. I had paid Ludi for my flowers and she had hugged and kissed her usual good-bye. She handed me my bouquet and I turned to leave. Facing me stood about ten of my class mates, with a smirking. Getting back under the wheel he pulls back out onto the interstate and looks at Jeanie in amazement. "Damn lady, how come you're out hitching in the rain? Where you from anyhow? Hellsfire there is water running out of your suitcase girl. Climb back in the sleeper and there are some dry clothes on a shelf. Get outta them clothes before you catch pneumonia. They won't fit but at least they are dry." Jeanie goes back through the heavy curtain and strips off her clothes, finding a pair of jeans. Arriving at 'The Aviator's Rest' Diner I sighed a huge sigh of relief.I sat back in the booth as we waited for our order's to arrive. Tinasat close and gently squeezed my knee. "Sorry for the Inquisition inthe car. But the girls got carried away with their questions. And thankyou for answering them," she lent in closer and he perfume assailed mysenses. "You're a good sport."Terri was watching our interaction and as I laid my freehand on Tina'sI felt there was a sense of trust. Terri trusted me.