It was consoling, the power they wielded, no matter how hard they were on me. I am that little girl you want to take in, the receptive little girl. I... this fashion, I yearn to be a child again and yet, I hated every moment of my carefree childhood. I have, for a long time, relished my complexity as a human being. I am forever elusive, even to myself. Constant oscillation, and the whirlwind makes its appearance again. Who am I beneath this skin and these bones that seemingly link me to others. "I remember the first trip I made with my Dad. I was just as excited as Bill was now. I had studied the mighty Mississippi in school, seen pictures showing this huge body of water, at some places close to a mile wide. I was so disappointed when we actually crossed over it. The river appeared to be about half a mile wide but in the middle of the city did not seem very impressive. What was more interesting was that we were just outside of Busch Stadium, the home of the Cardinals, and if we looked. "Are guys looking at in-vitro, or at adoption for when you have kids?"Rhonda looked at him when he asked that question, studying his face for a moment."Something like that, yeah." There was something to that subject that had a dimension of depth to her that he couldn't access, John knew it. These subjects are complicated and dire though, so John let the subject drop. Soon, Mary-Ann came out and helped them finish the joint, smelling of cleaning supplies and dishwater. "Sooo what did you guys. ”“You’re not wearing anything,” was her snarky response.“I have finally found somebody as deviant as I am,” he commented.She smiled at that. “I have to admit, for an older man you’re almost in my league.”Jack’s eyes popped open at that comment, and he turned his head to face her, to find her smiling back. “Older man? Almost in your league?”“Well, Jack, really, you are well past your prime, aren’t you?”Jack rolled his eyes. “I ought to spank you, but I’m too tired and you’d probably enjoy it.”.