“Yes. I saw the news article and called him. I tried to call you but I haven’t been able to get in touch with you. Were you at your parents’ hou...e?”“No. Indianapolis. My best friend was in a horrible car accident and nearly died. I’ve pretty much been at the hospital with her parents since Christmas Eve.”“Is she doing OK?” he asked.“After three surgeries, with one to go, I think she’ll make it. She’s really banged up, but the trauma surgeon who worked on her is a hero,” I said quickly, then. Troy arrives and takes his tools into the house. He is led to the guest bathroom that contains the leaky pipe under the sink. Troy assesses the problem and tells President Obama that it's an easy repair that will take less than 10 minutes. President Obama asks Troy how much it will cost. Troy checks his rate chart and says, "$9,500." What?! $9,500?!" Obama asks, stunned, "But you said it's an easy repair. Michelle will whip me if I pay a plumber that much!"Troy says, "Yes, but what I do is. The thought of it gave her chills.Hearth Maria came over to the table and sat down. She had just finished cleaning the dishes after the lunch crowd had passed through. Dish washing time was not a chore assigned as drudge work, but more of a social hour. That was a time when a lot of Hearths dropped in to chat with each other while doing things in the kitchen. Quite a few Swords and Shields came by at that time as well. A lot of information got passed around while doing dishes.She asked, “How. . Would just being there be enough? Or was anything more than that entrapment? The drone comment had stung... 'I am NOT a drone!' Jean affirmed to herself, and turned to her dresser.Five minutes later, she re-examined herself in the mirror. It had been several years since she had appeared anywhere in the tiny white bikini she had replaced the one-piece with; it was a couple of three inch triangles and strings, above, and narrowly cut enough below that a substantial portion of her tiny ass.