A reaction." You were getting a reaction, I promise you." Briana giggled, and they both started to relax a little."No, a specific reaction. You know I...was at the hospital today." Yeah, you said this morning." Well... I was at the oncology department." Oncology, that's... cancer, isn't it?" Yeah. When I was fourteen... I had to... I needed..." the tears started again, and Elspeth leant forward to take her hand. "I had to have a mastectomy, in the end." Oh my god!" Elspeth breathed, and Briana. There's something about a stage that always adds to the stature of the performer. Even a little squirt like Phil Collins can seem immense on the stage. These girls stood like amazons, their long slender legs in sheer silk stockings and the short figure-hugging dresses accentuating the curves of their youthful bodies. I was fascinated, the memories came back to me of Amy and Valerie as I had first seen them in the mall all those months before. I knew they were a lot younger than they looked but. The clerkquestioned the card saying, "Miss, you don't look like any Samuel I eversaw."Thinking quickly Sam stuck his left hand under the clerk's nosedisplaying his wedding band. Then replied, "I'll have you know it'sMrs. Williams, not miss. The card belongs to my husband."The clerk thought that over for a couple of minutes before scanning thecard. It cleared so he faced this obviously drunk bimbo and handed hera room key. "Alright I'll take a chance on you. Just a word ofwarning! You. "As she spoke my grip on her hand had tightened. I could feel her trembling a little. Her words were not describing how she was actually effected about her troubles. She may have wanted to seem blasé about it all, but clearly she wasn't. I leaned forward."More fools they. Lucky me. Are you free this evening?"I looked into her blue eyes where a little tear had formed and trickled down one cheek. She gave me her smile."Yes. I'm free. I'm here for a conference and I was dining with some other.