My plan didn't happen. As I pulled out of our settlement I turned south instead of west. It took me a second or two to realize what was going on. A se...ond or two later I was getting calls from the settlement. My wife was on the horn wanting to know what was going on. Fiona and Francine wanted to know as well. Everyone was concerned. I just sighed."I don't know," I called back to everyone. "I guess our 'benefactors' want us to go somewhere else for a change. I'll let you know where we end up. . someone might be in trouble.Many, perhaps even most, New Yorkers would have turned and walked away as quickly as possible, not wishing to become involved, but not Charlie. His small town upbringing had ingrained in him the instinct to help which not even a lifetime of big city life could change."Hello?" he called, standing at the alley entrance. The moan came again. It sounded female. Perhaps it might be one of the "ladies." Maybe she..."Setting down the bag, he made his way cautiously into. "But first,I've got to tell her. I'll do that once I have the crew working on thewell project." She put her gloves back on. "Speaking of which, they'reprobably waiting for me, so I better get moving." She grinned. "I loveyou, baby boy." I love you too, momma."***Silence filled the dome. Outside, a mournful wind whispered hollowly,the dwindling light of a setting Sol refracting off dust suspended highin the atmosphere, creating a spectacular, colorful sunset."Replay memoria," a choked, cracking. "My god, I hadn't done that in over a year, before she reached puberty and before she began to develop curves and bumps. My mouth was very dry and I forced myself to swallow as I considered what was happening. Over the past year as I took notice of how my daughter was growing, I think deep down that I knew that if I could, I just might touch her and more. When we were alone, I often found myself looking at her growing body as if she was a female first, a daughter second. At the same time, I.