The following morning after a few text exchanges I walked into town with a spring in my step, dressed in my usual shorts and tee shirt I waited patien...ly outside the station.“Hi Frank” came the soft voice from behind me, I turned and at first didn’t recognise her as her long mousy brown hair was cut short and boy did it enhance her appearance, “WOW!” I said as she came up and hugged me. She told me she had decided to change her appearance for her fresh start and I told her it looked awesome. I. .I'll." SHUT UP, COW!" He shouted, slapping my face. "You do not have permissionto speak. In fact, we need something for this cow to put in her mouth andwe need to start the breeding process." From somewhere outside of myfield of vision I could hear someone fumbling with something."Open your cud, cow," he said. I opened my mouth to protest again andsomething like a hard rubber bit was shoved between my teeth and strappedaround my head. I dimly registered Maquisha peripherally clapping herhands. Ponti:I’m not sure what made them think I was actually asleep. Well, I was asleep, but when I heard her voice I woke up. I was kind of groggy but I heard the whole story about Tom. What a jerk, if only she knew how I would worship her and do and how I would treat her.“Poky” my mom whispered in my ear and shook me “awake”. “You should really go sleep in your bed.”“OK mom” I replied trying to sound sleepy and then just rolled over waiting for her to go upstairs.Once I heard the pitter patter of. But to get back to what I was saying – it really was Christmas Eve. Now, for those readers who have kept a handle on things, you will be aware that I recently re-married a very young American girl and that accordingly, I shifted base from Australia to the tumbleweed-strewn heart of America. Geographically we are as close to the center of Northern USA as makes no difference.Old enough to be Katie's grandfather, I suppose we are the ultimate odd-couple. Lest anyone point the finger in my.