I’m sorry to inflict that on you.’ ‘Aww, don’t say that Amy. That sounds like you’ve burdened me or something. It’s not like that at all. ... mean, yeah, it’s had a really big effect on me, but you’re the one that had to go through that experience. And I…I don’t know how much it still bothers you. I also…well…we don’t have to talk about this if you don’t want to.’ ‘No, no, I think we should. I’ve had a year to deal with what happened and you just learned about it, and… I’m okay talking about it.’. “I will not spoil it for you. It does get better.”“Would you be open to talking more about Patterson after the meeting? I leave tomorrow and it would be nice to talk about something other than the newspaper business,” said Frankie.“Yes, I would love to. I can meet you in the lobby at 6:30 pm.”The meeting concluded and we departed.I was standing in the lobby and when I saw Frankie, I was stunned. She had changed into a black V-neck dress which showed more of her breasts.“I didn’t know we were. "Ithaca's fantastic, but you can't surf there." And, I thought later as I lay in bed, Callie wasn't in Ithaca. x-x-x-x I didn't sleep well and woke up early Saturday morning. At six I told Manny I was leaving, and he stared at me as though I was insane. "Jesus, Diz, even the fish aren't awake yet." He shook his head, yawned, and went back to sleep. I threw my stuff into the car and took off. The morning was dazzling despite the forecast. Pastel pinks and oranges colored the sky as I headed. Be still. Can you feel it? The slow, steady drag of air escaping from your parted lips, filling the expectant heavy atmosphere with the moisture of your desire. Can you feel the trembling of your skin and the fluttering of your eyelashes, as weighted by need they press down eager to caress your flesh? Can you taste the wetness pooling in your mouth as your tongue tip teases along the undulating ridge of exposed teeth before flicking further outwards to coat those soft lips in glistening saliva?.