The wall opened up as a door, showing stairs which wentdown into the secret basement Dad built before placing the mobile homeon the property. I only ...esitated a moment before going down.The secret basement wasn't some impressive and high tech super herobase like you might imagine from the entrance. Instead it wasbasically just a basement full of emergency supplies...albeit a fewthat Dad didn't want anyone else to find. There was a large first aidkid, two cases of bottled water, and several. He had a broad, cheerful smile and was always kind to me, but he had little to say. The work of Wise-Woman was not his concern, and neither was her apprentice. I could tell that they loved each other, and I was both jealous of him and ashamed of my jealousy. But I liked him all the same. When he returned from his next trip, we ate our evening meal together and then the wise-woman said simply, “She is ready.” Strong-Back nodded and they both cleaned themselves all over with water from the big. This is sort of exploration." Well, let me run it past Stoney, okay?" Okay. Can I call you back tomorrow? And if he's okay, we can talk about when and where." 'Kay, Kara," I said."Oh, thank you, Johanna," she said. "Bye."I was mulling this over as I puttered around the kitchen waiting for Stoney to get home. Kara. Daddy's a big-time attorney. I have a picture of how HE would be, but I know better than to prejudge. She, on the other hand, sounded almost fragile. It wouldn't be the first time. Tim owned the house where I’d been staying. We were FWB — you know, Friends With Benefits. Well, I guess he’d tired of my benefits and found himself a new FWB. Anyway, when I’d arrived home from work that particular day, the place was full of smoke and a bunch of crazy drunk people. And there she was, setting up house. I’d grabbed a beer and asked her politely who the fuck she was when Tim walked up behind me and popped the back of my head. “Don’t talk to my girl like that,” he snapped. “Show.