Just one out of hundreds that secured Melisande to her torment. Over the years the continued stretching, changes in temperature and rubbing against th... granite slab had critically weakened a single link. When Mel gave that enraged, futile yank it finally snapped and her right hand was free!With the speed of a hungry snake Mel’s hand caught the torturer around the throat and closed sickeningly on his windpipe.Mel had not thought once during the exchange, but now she lessened her grip just enough. I don't want those people to ever look down on you. That's why all my boys learned to speak good English." But I love your accent, Abuela." I know, but it's better to talk like a smart gringo." She reached over and squeezed his shoulder, "Comprende?" Yes, ma'am."He worked on the accent that he had unknowingly acquired from the kids around him.During the school year Jorge Delgado would drive the boys in a passenger van to and from Meritt's Diner each weekday so that they could catch the bus into. Even my two friends, with eyes for each of my women, were grateful for the chance to get away from the mundanity of the world. They had the fortune to discover the place, and to set the house up for our living, before I departed the corporate boardroom of my toy company to live there. Roman was the oldest of my acquaintances, and we shared a deep bond going back to childhood, when I had stepped in to save him from the teasing of other children. Of course, in the intervening years, he had repaid. "In a moment, she could hear Mark singing in the shower; in a few minutes, he joined her in bed. "What kept you guys so late?" she asked as she put down her book and turned off the light."We figured that as long as we were out at the course, we might as well try running the dogs at night in strange country," Mark said. "It went pretty well." What's Mike so happy about?" she said as she slid down in bed and snuggled up next to her husband, resting her head on his shoulder, with his arm around.