Maria had been struck during the fight. Her mom wanted her out of the house, in case her dad came back drunk. She was afraid of what he might do to Ma...ia before the police could respond. I told them Maria could stay as long as she wished, but I got her mother’s phone number and called her. Her name was Delilah and she somewhat confirmed what the girls had told me. She apologized, but I assured her it was OK. In fact, I told her, if she would like, she could also stay at my place if she was. I wonder what the policemight think of that? Besides, it's only until we can get your clothestaken care of so you can leave. Now stop being silly and get dressed."She hands you a pair of panties and a lacy camisole through the doorexplaining, "I don't want you to perspire on my good clothes honey, youlook a little flushed to me." You put on the clothes she has given you. Panties and camisole. Silkpants and blouse. You are transformed by the way they feel, so airy andlight, cool silk. Budget cuts insured that the CPS facility had extra weaknesses they couldn’t afford to fix, and there were kids willing to exploit these weaknesses.Nine year old Paula Akron shivered despite the nighttime warmth of Hawaii in June. The sun was already set and there was the barest sliver of moonlight. It was even darker for the little girl because she was hiding in shadows, wondering how she and Paul were to find each other while making sure they weren’t seen. She was dressed in her black slacks. "Guess in that regard I'm lucky," she shrugged as she poured herself somewater from the kitchen sink taps.I clumsily waged war on the connecting hooks on the back of the bra,trying to fasten it. "Come on," I urged the hooks. As a man I did havethe requisite experience in undoing bras but I was never forced to do oneup before and the added complexity of doing it behind my back only raisedthe difficulty. My struggles finally paid off and I was wearing my veryfirst bra. Another first for me but.