She was painfully shy when forced out of her role as waitress, and few had the heart to press the point. Still, she was the reason lots of men ate at ...epe’s, and if asked, the man might have admitted he was one of them. She came to the table, brought him chips and salsa, a pitcher of ice water, and her smile, which he never seemed to tire of, but today there was a redness in her eyes, an unfamiliar sadness hovering around her like a dark cloud. He watched her, watched her eyes, and he felt. Bob is 6 feet tall and weighs 380 lbs. He wasn’t always like this, only after the crippling arthritis hit his knees and hips. Before that, he was a slim 200 lbs. and very active. Then about the time he reached 55 he had to slow down due to arthritis. Not eating healthy and a lack of exercise lent to some of his weight gain. Then 2 years ago, Karen, his lovely wife, succumbed to cancer. By the time they diagnosed her, she had breast and cervical cancers and they gave her six months to live. They. .." and Ferro's voice trailed off. "Is this what Volentin means by the term 'heart friend'?" You got it on the first try," Quiyo said. "I'll wait for the next shift to show up. You go on ahead and find your quarters. I'll catch up with you later and I won't forget this conversation."Ferro rushed up the spindle. When he reached the assigned level, which was far above where he had originally lived on Callisto, he was greeted by Volentin security with pulse rifles at the ready. They didn't smile.. “She’s 24,” I said. “Someone I first met a few years ago, but she didn’t really know that because of the circumstances. A month ago we met and I was wearing these clothes. She thought I was older and...”Birgit interrupted, “You do look like you’re seventeen or eighteen when you wear those.”“ ... she arranged for me to be at her place and I guess you would say she seduced me. I told her I was only fourteen and she went through with it anyway. But you can’t tell anyone. We’d both get in trouble.