The mental isolation enforced by the incessant drone of the engine seemed to be sending me into a sort of sensory-deprivation funk. I had already begu... to question my sanity and we hadn't been in the air that long.The only other occupant of the compartment was Evan Cochran, a member of the Sigma Seven unit and our regular babysitter. 'Minder' was the official term for it. It meant his job was to keep tabs on us and to act a as buffer between me and anyone who pissed me off in order to avoid. “You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man’s influence in your life,” she said“He’s the one who taught me carpentry,” he said. “I wouldn’t be in this business if it weren’t for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important ... Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Jack said.As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser’s funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of. I looked over at them, they were watching. ?Pretty little thing isn’t she Jeremy?? one called. ?Get your own, Dave,? my new friend Jeremy called back. ?Easy enough,? another man said, ?there’s twenty or so up at the house already, and I think fifty total coming.? ?Don’t worry, Jeremy,? another teased, ?we’ll let you and your new girlfriend have some private time together, we can finish your quota of the horses.? ?Thanks.? The twenty-something called back laconically, not at all intimidated by. Then, when Rob wants to kiss me in the backseat of his convertible, I'll be good at it." I think that might be a little weird. Don't you?" I asked."Kira, what's it gonna hurt? Seriously." I don't know. I just think it might be strange to kiss my best friend." I whined."Oh come on! You don't think I'm sexy?" Naomi pushed her B-cup breasts out as far as they would go and batted her eyelashes."Of course I think you're sexy! That's not the point. The point is I'm not gay. It's just not right.".