. we can paint ourfingernails... We can go shopping..." No chance," I said seriously, "I hate shopping. That's not going tochange." We'll see," she re...lied with a knowing smile.When we got to the mall we did not get directly to the salon. Instead westopped at the department store where mum bought my clothes. She wasrelieved the items were still being sold on clearance and we got arefund.She then went to the girls section and grabbed a packet of plain pantiesfor a girl my age. A stretchy. Jenn stood up and removed her clothes and put them into the sack I was holding, then put on the mask to cover her eyes and part of her face. "Now, when I text you, you will walk, not run, to the stairs at the end of the hall, down the stairs and then down the hall way to the doors on the other side of the building." Jenn nods her understanding. "Now remember, you only have about five minutes that the guard will be away from his desk and in the bathroom, so don't delay." Jenn smiles and agains. I had frequented his cafe for years for conversation and the greasy gut bombs that my wife never allowed me to eat; sneaking them home to devour during football games while she was away. Eventually I sold the house full of memories at a loss, and moved into an apartment in town to await my own demise.One particular rainy afternoon when the loneliness was becoming overwhelming, I donned my rain gear and took a stroll over to the café. As always, Max was there with a hot cup of coffee and smile. “That’s understandable, seeing as you were busy cussing up a storm. I would hate to be the “asshole” that pissed you off,” he laughed. If possible, her face got redder. She had been cussing Mr. Rockman, even using his name at times. If this guy had been listening to her, then he knew exactly who the “asshole” was. “uh…yeah…again, I apologize,” she squeaked. “No apology necessary. From what I hear, Mr. Rockman is an asshole…and worse,” he said, winking at her. Gracie laughed. The tension in.