When the two men got to Elsie, she was still covered with sweat, but both men bumped heads as they leaned over to kiss her. All three laughed, and Bea... moved back to allow John the first kiss. John got a damp cloth from the commode beside the bed and lovingly wiped Elsie's face. That was when she announced the name for their new son: John Beauregard Harris, and she wanted to call him "JB." That name rang a bell with both men, and they were happy to go along with Elsie on her choice.The midwife. Those who wanted a beer this side of Christmas came to me anyway. ‘You should have called the cops.’ Honey said. ‘I doubt if she was 18, and with that bag I think she might be on the run without her parents permission if you take my meaning.’ ‘I would say you are probably right but the cops will be busy anyway a day like this. I’ll talk to Copcop if they come by. They will know if anyone is reported missing.’ ‘You may be right, but I don’t like a kid like that walking the bars: she could get. The weight of my pack was reassuring. Months, years, dozens-maybe hundreds-of these hikes had taught me the tricks. The extra padding duct- taped to the shoulder straps, the sleeping pad rolled against the small of my back. I always packed carefully. I wasn't coming back, but years of preparing for trips had taught me not to be sloppy. I had no intention of being sloppy or hurting before I finished.No, I was nothing if not prepared. Planned and packed and prepared. My rent was paid through the. So don’t make me kick your ass and carry you up those stairs!”I pulled Cale along behind me. He didn’t follow willingly. I led him to my bedroom and sat him down on the side of our bed. I sat beside him, our bodies touching. I held his hand and said, “I’m sorry, Cale. I do love you and it upsets me that I caused you so much discomfort.”I told him about waking up last Sunday and realizing how exposed I was, and how excited I got. Then I went back and told him some of the other things Mike and I.