However, the dance floor would have had more bounce, the music wouldn't have suffered from the echo that came from hosting the event in a venue that h...d never been designed for its acoustic properties, and the booth where the DJ sat wouldn't have been shrouded in shadows in a corner where the lighting had no resonance at all with the music. In Iris' early years of clubbing a DJ like Xanthippus Middleton would have been a superstar surrounded by groupies, hangers-on and minders. He'd have had. " I took her hand and -half-pulled her out on the field toward the team bench. The crowd quieted, sensing that something out of the ordinary was happening.I sat Allie on the bench, right in the middle. "No matter what happens, you don't leave without me."She nodded."Promise?" I promise," she said quietly, looking more confused than ever. I stood next to her and waited for the explosion."What's she doing here?" the coach thundered when he saw her. "Cheerleaders belong over there," he said waving. Matt and Mary had given their jewelry to Bill before they left last night, so Bill actually had fifteen plastic bags.Kim was looking at the bags and said, “Doug, how much are the rings worth on Earth?”“I’m not sure. My jeweler is working on an appraisal of a ring and a pair of earrings for me. He is consulting with a group of jewelers to determine the value of the diamonds. From what he told me, this is very difficult for there is nothing that’s close enough to establish a basis for setting the. ”Stephie smiled, “I heard about that! Now I can put a name and a face with the story!”“Did he tell you the WHOLE story?” Tracey smirked.“No, I didn’t,” I said with a laugh. “And it’s not necessary, Tracey!”Tracey smiled, “I suppose not. In any event, your boyfriend gave me the confidence to change myself. I met Marty not long after and we’re heading to Ohio State together in the fall.”When we finished eating, I paid the check and Tracey pulled me aside to talk.“How is Kara?” she asked.“Not very.