It was truly unique, like having a botanical gardens for a backyard. I took a deep breath. It was time. Derek nodded at me."Get it done," he said. I w...lked toward the house, but before I got there, Triss pulled open the glass sliding door and emerged, clad in a cream terrycloth robe and a wide giddy smile that made her look like a kid on Christmas. Derek rolled his eyes."You're supposed to stay inside until..." Triss fixed him with an icy stare. "Ahh, fuck it. I'll just clean the pool. Do. She was right, she WAS all warm and cuddly when I got back, she looked sensational in one of my tee shirts over hold up stockings and her pale blue panties, two steaks were on the cooker on a low light and she'd peeled some potatoes before cutting them into chips, nice and thick just how I liked them,"I've been busy" she smiled as I kissed her, "I went back to the shop and bought some steaks as well as a few bottles of lager, want one?" What, a steak or a lager?" A lager, fool" she laughed,"You. . and they knew it was coming.For the next thirty-five years, Gustafson's changed hands faster than a tax dollar. Every new owner added stock, sold like crazy for five months and left.The Quality Department Store became the Mercantile, the General Store, Annie's Attic and that eyesore.When the disastrous fire burned the wood buildings between Gustafson's and The Antler, the Volunteer Fire Department protected the best place in town to get an after work drink and hoped the eyesore would burn to. With all of the excitement, infatuation and being unable to stop thinking about them.”In all of her explanation, Jill had pointedly not mentioned Chris once. Being diplomatic enough to make it sound oh, so clinical and theoretical. Like some academic giving a lecture. But that stupid little boy in me continued to pick at the scab, picking away until the wound bled and really hurt.“So, that’s the way you’re saying you feel about Chris,” playing Jill’s own words back to her, only with Chris added.