I'd seen enough. I needed to get out of here and back to Brenda, so wecould figure out our plan. He'd try to control us, too- I'd seen thatdemented ...winkle in his eye before. I quietly got down off the desk andplaced in back in the classroom, then hightailed it out of there. As Ipassed the front desk, Bernie yelled out, "Oh miss! Miss! You need tosign out!"I stopped on a dime, dropped my folders and my bag on the desk,hurriedly signed and left. I jogged through the January air,. Twice during the week I had a message on my answering machine from Kate but I made no reply.Friday I called Nan.She was glad to hear from me.I asked her for a date for dinner that evening. Nan had an appointment with a client and would not be free until late. She offered to call and cancel but I told her no. I asked her plans for the week end and she told me that I would have to make them for her.I asked if she were a single girl yet.Nan told me she would be soon.I told her she was going to be. I’m totally on my own.”“You’ve got me, Missy,” William replied. “I ain’t much, but I’m a hell of a lot better than nothin’.” He then smiled at her and Vicki found herself returning his smile.The drive across town was uneventful. When they arrived at their destination, the van was pulled inside a large, warehouse-looking building. The three SUVs waited out front.Vicki wasn’t sure what was going to happen and fear was beginning to cause her body to tremble slightly. Three men and two women, all. I drew up a listof things to buy, then headed out to the growers market. *I hauled the last of the grocery bags inside, swinging the door shut withan elbow, and slumping back against it. The relief was both physical andemotional. My arms were aching, and for some reason I felt weepy. Peoplethese days seemed to be getting ruder and ruder. Don't let other peopleget you down. You are a beautiful spirit in yourself.With a sigh, I pushed myself forward and.