The sun was nearing noon. Jorie dropped off his personal gear and then went into the commissary for a quick, tasteless lunch. He scanned the room look...ng for a lunch mate but realized there wasn't one person with whom he wanted to sit. They all looked like they came from a herd of domesticated pack beasts, chewing their cud.Vantis was different. The gel in his black hair was a reminder of the oiliness that lurked underneath that skull. After discussing some bureaucratic-babble such as time. “I am thankful for that,” Roderick said with a nod. “I have done what I could to protect those around me – not just Annette – but I lack the standing to do much that has teeth. I have restricted myself to delivering beatings if it became necessary. I fear that I have handed out more than a few of those since I became large enough to defend others.”“Good man,” Rucar said with a nod.“But I cannot leave Annette with no one to confide in,” Roderick said. “I would feel as though I had deserted her. " He glanced around at the slow-walking gawkers. "All of you!"A smattering of "Yessirs" followed him as he strode away.Kristin giggled and pecked me on the lips. "Shawna and I have to go get fundraising posters from Coach's office, but Kimmie has your stuff and will walk you to class."I closed my eyes in frustration. "Kristin—" Oh, hey!" she interrupted. "Shawna just got her prom dress and she wants a guy's opinion. We'll bring it by your house after school, 'k?" She gave me sexy little wink.. Now, I was adrift on a sea of doubt. I had enough belief left not to want to make God -- if he existed -- angry, but I was willing to risk making him peeved and exasperated. I wanted to be in love and I wanted to enjoy mad, passionate sex, to escape my mundane existence, and have fun. My chances of that however, seemed slim to none. So, I stole quarters from my household money and bided my time and sought an escape from my husband for whom I developed a powerful loathing.And, after months of.