I hoped I wouldn’t stain her clothes with my silly tears, but I couldn’t help it. It was all I could do to go on breathing knowing that in a few m...nutes she’d be gone, not to return until the summer was almost over.“It’s alright, sweetie”, she said. Her voice sounded even and firm, unlike mine. “It’s not forever. Come on! Try to have a good summer, ok? Be good to Mum.”“Yes, Miss”, I said. I felt like an abandoned pet, left out in the cold as their masters sped away.“I’m sorry, my darling pet”,. ”“One way or another, darling, it got us each other, and I am happy.”“Have I massaged your forehead enough, Prudence? Need other massages, such as I mentioned?”She giggled, “Nice as it would be, Reg, I would probably be accused of pre-empting my turn with you. Fiona got told off already, so I don’t want to compound the problem. I’ll look forward to you making love to me properly, later.”“You are a dear, Prudence my love. You are a great asset to our marriage. I hope Fiona turns out as well as. Make sure you finish your homework beforeyou watch TV or play with your Gameboy."Jerry Parker looked up from the book on his desk and smiled at hismother, who was dressed to the nines for her book club meeting. "Okay,Mom. Have a good time. When will Dad be home?" Past your bedtime. He's flying in late from New York tonight. We canall go out for pizza tomorrow night if he's not too tired."Jerry's father had just made captain after nine years as a co-pilot andthree years before that as a flight. She pulled her toe from my still-sucking lips with a plop, just as the toilet flushed and the bathroom door could be heard opening. As a final insult, Cinta ruffled my hair and told me I was a good girl, before laughing to herself and slinking off to the kitchen to refill her drink. Jeff re-joined me on the couch and kissed me on the mouth before I could avoid it. I had to wonder whether he could taste his sister's toe that had been in there mere seconds before. I couldn't get rid of the.