I composed myself, breathing deeply and went to the door, opened it. Her smile took all my fears and nerves, wrapped them in paper and discarded them....I stepped aside and she came into the warm, stopping to kiss me gently, demurely, not giving passersby or neighbours anything to gossip about. I closed the door and then she pushed me gently against the wall and kissed me properly, her tongue pushing into my mouth, her hand squeezing mine. She wore a long black leather skirt and a white silk. .. but still just kids.Sixteen, the year Dad left forever — though it was two years before Cindy and I agreed that he was really gone forever — Cindy was embarrassed and turned away while she washed. I was embarrassed because she was, and after that I did twice the work and filled two tubs. You see; I had always loved Cindy.When I was five Dad taught me to read — I read everything. I knew the difference between sloe gin and gin when I was six. I read the labels. I taught Cindy to read; Dad said. ‘Fuck it,’ she said to herself spreading her legs and beckoning the harpy over. Knowing Kal, the only thing he’d be pissed about is that he didn’t get to watch. As the swallow crawled onto the bed a thought suddenly struck her, the expression on her face changing so drastically that Kuto stopped. Letting a little smile play across her lips she indicated for the harpy to continue approaching. Ikuno was just going to have to forgive her for not waiting so the oni could be her first monster. He put his head in his hands and quietly sobbed.Julie nearly ran into her daughter-in-law in the hallway. “Goodness, Penelope. What are you doing up? It’s after midnight.”“Oh ... sorry.” Penelope tried to focus. “Just getting some ... water.”“Well, okay.” Julie looked the woman up and down but couldn’t see much in the gloom of the hallway. She could tell that Penelope’s legs were bare under her long t-shirt. “Goodnight then.” Julie stepped around her and opened the door to the master.