He continued to lean in close and speak words as smooth as his silk shirt, "I told you, Nara. I told you that you should fully experience my country."...is hands were heavy on her shoulders, holding her in place before the mirror. She felt unsteady but she didn't move."Revish," her mind was working rapidly but she couldn't think of what to say. She didn't know why she didn't try to leave.His hand moved, pulling away the hair around her ear. He was right on top of her now, his mouth just brushing. Nancy was behind her and my hand was holding her to us as my other hand was holding Brandy to us on the other side of Judy. Tiani had slid down until her head was on my stomach as she curled up between my legs. Brandy said to me, "I wish we had a picture of this. I just love the way we are all snuggled together, with you holding us to you."Frieda said, "I don't know about you, but I need to use the bathroom. Do you mind if I get up?" Let's all get up. Come on, let's swim a little and get our. Mel put the paper down, stood up and my heart leapt to my mouth.She's leaving, I thought wildly, she's disgusted and is walkingout!Instead, Mel walked over and hugged me tightly and I hugged herback gratefully. 'Liz,' she said smiling at me, 'thanks fortelling us, but I've only known you as Liz, I couldn't think ofyou any other way. You'll always be Liz to me.''Thanks Mel,' I said, tears rolling down my cheeks.Cleo scrunched the piece of paper up and I looked at her,startled by her action and. ”I could hear Civia, who was busy at the island with some task, her back to the entryway, say, “Huh. A friend at school is named Maren.”The Maren next to me asked, “Civia?”Civia wheeled around, her eyebrows flying to her hairline, as she loudly stated, “Maren? What are you doing here?”I give Maren credit, she came back immediately with, “Apparently having dinner with you. What else would I be doing here now?” Civia worked through the girls between the island and the entryway and stood in front.