Her buttocks were now 12 inches clear ofthe bed, and despite myself I admired her agility and athleticism. The musclesin her shapely legs were clearly...defined, and she was obviously carrying noextra weight. Incredibly I found myself trying to visualise being in Diane?splace. I knew I would look nowhere as svelte as she did. Although I was notgrossly overweight, I had not taken good care of my body in recent years. I hadpacked on many extra pounds on my hips and thighs through poor diet and a. And mother of Steve Jr. Oscar Lockhart, Selena’s next door neighbor from childhood and long ago standout player at Red Creek High. Names and places are entirely fictitious. It was early spring the last time I passed through Red Creek. I had spent the night up at Peaty and as usual planned on having breakfast in Red Creek. I been doing it for years. They were just now erecting the large sign at the entrance of town proclaiming the Red Creek Devils as last years state football champions. The. ‘Stop it. I’m being serious, Aidan. I really need to go home.’ ‘And I told you that you’re not leaving. Quit being so stubborn.’ ‘You can’t make me do anything I choose not to do!’ French was getting angry again. ‘I am my own person – I, and only I, decide what happens to me!’ ‘You’re right. You can decide to take your clothes off on your own. Or… You can decide that you’d rather me do it for you. As you said, the choice is yours…’ ‘What kind of choices are those?’ a note of despair crept into. I wasn't concerned about my livelihood or bills to pay. This was my life. It wasn't great, it wasn't flashy but it was mine. I helped make stories for those kids who sat at the back of the class, who no one ever wanted to sit with at lunch time, who couldn't talk to another person or didn't want to. I wanted to make something for the outcasts in the world and now . . . now I can't.All I could do for the present was to go home. I got into my car and decided to listen to my Final Fantasy playlist.