"I agree. Can't that surly fellow stuff a gag in her mouth?" There's the hundredth," said Morling, clapping his hands. "Now we'll see her twitch when ...he whip bites her perky little ass."The soldier lowered his arm and stepped back, placing the whip on the grass near a fallen tree. He sat on an old stump to wipe sweat from his brow, breathing heavily as he surveyed his handiwork. Shona's back was a livid red patchwork of criss-crossing stripes. Her buttocks and the backs of her legs were. The two of us walked hand in hand down to the pier, passing other lovers.It was a warm evening for September with a slight breeze coming off the lake. The moon was full, bright, and low on the horizon, sitting like a ball on the water.When we got to the gazebo down by the river outlet, we stood side by side and looked out over the shimmering water."Are you sure about this?" I said; my mouth dry with nervousness."Yes," I heard her whisper, looking at the rippling water flowing from the lake.I. Turning left would take her to FM539, and it would be at least a five-mile walk for her to reach any place worthwhile for her. Turning right would take her in a direction she hadn’t traveled yet, but JR had mentioned a golf course with a clubhouse within a mile or so. That might do.Rockie started walking to the east along the shoulder of the road, over a slight rise where she could now see all the way to where this street ended at another cross-street. She had no idea which direction she would. ****Mom came in as I was putting on my make-up. "You look nice," she said.I thanked her as I put the cap back on the lipstick tube. "Nice enoughto meet Ken's family?" I asked."They're going love you." I hope you're right," I said as I lit a cigarette. "I'm afraid thiscould blow up in my face." It could but it won't," Mom said. "I know you can do this because Isaw you do it last night. You handled yourself like an adult woman.That's what Ken saw and that's what his children will see."I.