Don’t do this right now. Not in front of Jason.’ But she couldn’t hold it in anymore. Sobbing she started to crumple to the floor, but Jason lur...hed forward, his arms coming around her. ‘I’m sorry. Lex, I’m so sorry. I should have known. I should have found a table…’ Jason’s hands were running over her back, her arms, smoothing her hair. He was pretty sure what just happened and he felt like shit. More importantly, he felt responsible. Knowing her history, he should never have put her in that. She asked where I worked, how we met, etc, etc. AS we chatted I noticed her leaning in closer as we talked but I really didn't know what was going on. Ellie was 18 years old, I was 24, and her Mom didn't look to be much more than early 30s. Shortly Ellie came in all clean with that fresh washed hair smell. She was hiding behind a towel and apologizing for being late. I smiled and said to take her time cause I was visiting with her mom. She gave me a look and said ok. Now Ellie was barely over. “You can’t be more than thirty-five, at least from the way you look!”“Thirty-four,” I grinned. “Albert is eight and Jane is six.”“Hang on, Mate!” he protested.“They’ve been close for a couple of years,” I replied. “Her dad is a surgeon who lived at my house while he did a year-long exchange program at the local hospital casualty department. We were here earlier this year for the surgeon’s marriage and at the ceremony my son asked his daughter to marry him. She said yes. Time will tell if it’s. When possible, he and Danka traveled with groups of traders or anyone else who happened to be going in the same direction. The practical concern of traveling delayed anything he wanted to say concerning her behavior in Daguruckt-Tok. Danka was extremely grateful for the respite, but all too soon the two Followers passed the final village and the wooded mountains loomed ahead. Following custom, as soon as they were out of sight from the open fields, Danka and Ermin stripped off their clothing..