After a brief pause I begin, "You know, sweetie, ithasn't been easy for me to carry on either. I'vehad my share of deprival, too. I haven't dated sinc...Mom died, which if you knew anything about men, means thatI'm getting to be one horny motherfucker, missy! Maybeyou think I'm doing this because I enjoy seeing yousuffer somehow? Believe me, princess, I'd love nothingmore than to get with some little slut every now and thenjust to quell my needs, but I can't afford to presentthat kind of behavior. "Fifteen more miles this day, into the night, before we camp. I shall not risk anyone from that town coming up behind us at night." The company marched on, while the sun set behind them.Esfalan called Verothlen and Jorda to his side: Autonorë was taking her turn by his side already. "How is the pain this day, old friend?" he asked sympathetically.Verothlen simply answered, "I shall manage."Jorda spoke. "Verothlen, while I cannot slow your disease, I can help manage the pain. Will you allow. 'Stop that at once!'In the mirror, I could see Carol standing behind him, justinside the half-open door.'Listen.' He turned to her with a look on his face which heprobably thought resembled a conciliatory smile. 'Me andsunshine, here, have got some business to attend to. I'm nothaving you two crooning like love-sick teenagers. OK? Now, pissoff.'Instead of doing as he bade, she pulled a mobile out of herhandbag, short-dialled a number, and then held it to her ear.'Audrey? Hi, it's Carol, here.. Stephen asked if anyone wanted to play some PlayStation but the vibe was weird so Tony walked home and Blake drove Stephen and me home. And that was it." That's quite a story," Jo said, leaning into the kitchen island where she was standing. "Where are the panties now?" I've got them," Mark said as he opened the bookbag and rummaged through it. He pulled out a small ziploc baggy filled with crumpled pink fabric only semi visible through the fogged up plastic. He set the bag on the kitchen.