However, on this particular occasion, things turned out differently.I turned up as usual at the local sports club hall, went through the prick test an... paperwork checking before being led to one of the reclining couches. It was in the corner of the hall, a bit away from everyone else. The hall was very busy with people waiting to give blood, some in the couches and some with their post-donation tea and biscuits. Milling around were plenty of medical staff too.So I sat in the couch and a nurse. And amiss is as good as a mile. I’m sorry. These things just come out. My mind generates them on its own, little word plays that help take it off…what I want my mind taken off. Elizabeth is what I want my mind taken off. I’m sorry. It comes like a flood. Not about that night. No. That was funny in its way. I could tell she was concerned well before we pulled up. What I don’t want to think about is later, long later. I do things to forget, but it’s no good. That night there were leaves. Consuela nodded. She still had a dazed expression on her face. She looked around the living room in a too-small house she would not have to live in again. She didn't know what to say, or do."What do we do now?" she asked."Well," Ryan said reflectively.He untwined Belinda's arms from around his neck for a moment. She was holding on so tight he was having trouble breathing. It had been a long time since Ryan and Consuela had thought it safe to meet and Belinda was afraid he was going to leave. Melanie knocked on my door after supper. I let her in. "So, did you talk to her?" Yeah." And the bet's still on?" Mel, she was adamant about it. I'm sure she feels a lot better now, too, now that the Yankees evened the series up." Yeah, she does, but-well, I had a talk with her. And she has no intention of going through with it even if she loses." What?" She's not going to back out, mind you," Melanie explained. "She's got something else up her sleeve. I don't know exactly what, but I think, if.