I didn't turn on the TV or a radio. Ijust sat there, feeling lost and abandoned and crying a little bitmore. I guess I must have dozed off, because th... next thing I knew, Icould hear someone ringing the doorbell!I really didn't want to talk to anyone, but then I thought, 'It mightbe Eric, coming back to tell me he changed his mind and is going tostay!! I jumped up from the couch, the afghan falling to the floor,forgotten and raced to the door. I yanked it open, but instead of Ericstanding. Which is why I volunteered to bring you coffee this morning. I’d like to be your assistant if you’ll have me.” Now that was a surprise! I’d been thinking seriously about putting Traci in the leading role. Partly because of what I had planned for the part. But to have her working beside me all the time? I could certainly tolerate that.“Give me a little time to think this over. I’m surprised you want to work on that side of the stage, but it would certainly be good for you. I want to talk to Lee,. "Been some time, Ned," Alexander Beall started, tonguing the thick chaw into his cheek."Yep, 'bout year, year and a half. Since Aunt Molly died, I reckon." You've put on some weight. How's that romance going? When you going to marry that Foster girl?" Oh, soon I hope, I reckon. It's up to her folks. They know how we feel. I think they're kind of hoping somebody better comes along, least her father is, somebody that was on their side anyways." She is a pretty little thing." Makes good cornbread. We drank to that, cracking open our wine duty-free, and before long we chatted as old friends, reciting some ribald times with passengers, in similar situations as tonight, somehow I was glad to hear she had been with men, but something in me was excited about her, I could not put my finger on it, but when she took her top and brassiere off, I gasped at the perfection of her nude breasts.She smiled before adding, 'Hey Mariel, do I need protection from you', point taken, I laughed, but I really.