I started to sit up, struggling to wrap one of the blankets around my body. "I-I need to go. My mom is waiting on me." She texted me while you were sl...eping."He had my mom's phone number? I opened my mouth, but he held up a hand."I thought it better to let you get your rest. Your mom said the doctor encouraged her to go home, and you didn't need to come back tonight. Not on Christmas Eve."I pulled the blankets tighter around me. "I-I don't have a joyful spirit this year. Not with Dad..." I. She raised his cage door first on an impulse and while waiting for him to act she talked to Andy."How ya doing, guy? Bet the big fella's hungry. But first the trick... That is, if Mae would just once act like Mack again."The older lion still had not moved and Joan knew with exasperation that she would have to use the whip. She let Andy out then and to her surprise Mae followed. Will I never learn? Joan thought. Mae no longer cares and just does what Andy's doing, stupid girl.Joan went to the. “Penny for your thoughts,” Connie said as we reached the end of the field.“I was just remembering how it felt to be so young and inexperienced, the first time I had sex was with my soon to be wife setting on the hood of my Mustang.” I said, “We were both overheated and it lasted about 3 minutes.” I grinned, “Are you cold?”“Yes, can we go to your motel, I think we can last more than 3 minutes and be a whole lot more comfortable.” Connie said pulling me close to her and running her hand across my. I suspect you'll be spending a lot of time on the dumb end of a shovel." That's okay, Dad. I'll do what I can to earn the job."He nodded. "I know you will, Ian. I told Mr. Fosdick to expect your call." How come you know him, Dad?" Do you remember old Mrs. McGonagall, the lady who nearly ran down Kelsey?" Sure, what about her?" Well, Mr. Fosdick is her son-in-law and feels he owes you for preventing a horrible accident that would have destroyed the poor old lady. She's gone now, but Bud Fosdick.