A grip so tight she couldn't feel the tips of her fingers encircled her palm. She followed the limb to the attached body with her eyes."Sawyer," Renee...murmured. A weak smile came unbidden to her lips. "You came. I ... tried to call you." I am so sorry-" the boy started, but Zack cut him off."She's awake," he said to the doctor. "Check her."The woman frowned at the tone, but ran a hand above the synthetic's body."I'm sorry," whispered Sawyer. "Why didn't you tell me what you were going to do?". " Well, something's the matter, and I have to figure it out soon."Robbie racked his brain trying to decide the perfect location for the picnic. He initially thought about a very private beach to which he had access, but instead chose a tiny park about twenty miles away. It was a county park, but it was so small that very few people ever went there. The park itself was not much more than two acres in size, and most of that was land occupied by trees. The previous land owner had donated the. My anxiety eases a little when he eventually pouts and nods and asks, “A gift, Miss Bloom?”Seizing the opportunity I reach into my bag. I know I’m gabbling when I hold up the gift wrapped bottle and say, “You said you liked a glass of rum now and then … Well, I thought I’d get you one. For Christmas. Here,” I add, almost chucking the present at him. “And I’ve got you a card, too.”Craig takes the bottle and says, “Would you like a drink, Miss Bloom?”***I gulp at the wine, doing my utmost to. “Dammit, Candy!” the lift operator barked. Candy lifted her bottle to her lips, and raised her middle finger mid-swig. The lift operator swore under her breath and raised one of her flags. The lift kept raising, not even slowing down as it passed the waiting platform where Jack and a few other passersby stood.The people around her grumbled, and a few tossed rude gestures towards Candy which were returned in kind, but for the most part nobody seemed surprised. Jack walked to the edge of the.