More troops ran across the bridge, and a new connecting trench was begun.The next morning before dawn, the cavalry led their horses across the bridge....A staging area had been prepared for them, and they silently gathered and mounted up. When the first morning attack on the north trenches had begun, the cavalry silently rode out. They trotted two miles west, and then Sam led them north. The Confederates had used artillery in Columbus, but none had been seen in the battlefield they had left. They. ”“It’s good to meet you, sir. I have enjoyed being with Elena and hope she will continue to tolerate me.” Elena had gone in the house but came out then with an older woman who was in good shape for her age and not bad for any age.“Josh, this is my mother, Anna.”“It’s good to meet you, Anna.”“It’s good to meet you, Josh. You speak our language well.”“Elena is a good teacher. She has worked hard to teach me.” I smiled at Elena. She had taken possession of my hand again. She smiled back.I noticed. Bec hugged Tara into her side. There were more tears.Bec: (quietly) Tara, I want you to promise me. You and Angie – you have to stay with Dan or Dad. You have to stay right there with them. Don’t go to school. Don’t go anywhere else. Go with Dad to his work or go with Dan to his school. Sleep in Dan’s bed. Never, never be alone. Can you promise me that?Tara looked over at me for reassurance and then back at Bec.Tara: Okay, Bec. If that’s what you want. I can do that.Bec: And the same goes for. I do remember concentrating unusual attention on the seductive rise of her neck from the confines of her shirt collar though, and that's not wishful thinking, not in the least. Bonnie has the most seductively long, slender and oh-so kissable neck in the world. I drifted off to sleep fantasizing about kissing that exquisite neck and removing her bib overalls.A month went by with no dreams and no sight of Bonnie. She'd slipped almost entirely from my thoughts by then--during the daylight hours,.