.. and likely curious about the dashing young man treating her teacher to an ice cream sundae." It's weird and unnatural," I had told Kate. "I've coun...ed her going through five chocolate shakes since we've been here. She just sits there at that booth, eating and staring at us." Bob, it's not weird," Kate said. "She's a lonely outsider craving love and attention. In her world, chocolate equals love."I nodded. Kate was right. I had just finished my MBA and as a consequence had taken a few applied. " "In a second. I did a lot checking on the Internet. There are a few places out there, but all of them require a person to be at least 18. I won't have my fifteenth birthday until October. Mom, why all the questions?" "Just checking something out. Right now Roberta I want you to do something strange. In the bag at your feet, there is a black hood. Could you please put it over your head? I don't want you to see where we are going. It is a big surprise." Roberta did what she was told.*** After. “‘It is time for my Great-Granddaughter to become the woman that she was always meant to be.’ That should release you from the protections I’ve placed in your mind. You no longer need worry about being moved against your will or telling others too many personal things about me. Oh, also, if I’ve met with my end, and 24 hours later, you hear two gunshots coming from the general area of the dungeon, don’t worry about it. The less you know, the better.”Contessa Helena de San Finzione sat back down. Taking in the sights was both nostalgic, and a little sad. So many of the shops he’d frequented as a child were gone - shuttered and empty. Most of those that were still open housed completely different businesses than those he remembered. Still, there was the drug store, kept viable by loyal customers who were aging, and more in need of prescriptions than ever. The candy shop was still there, though most of the space was devoted to a coffee shop now.He cruised down the road, barely touching.