Darlene liked Gloria, and wanted to be excited with her about finally meeting her aunt, but not knowing any of your mother's family wasn't as bad as n...t knowing who your parents were. Still, Darlene wanted to be happy for Gloria. It wasn't her fault, and she had always been kind. Gloria was the type of sister Darlene would want, but she'd settle for a kissing cousin, and that kid sure knew how to kiss.A burst of piss shot across the crappy carpet. Blots soaked into the top page of her journal.. In the bedroom, the sheets are brushed tight across the bed, the pillows fluffed.In the bathroom, the towels are folded and left in the hamper. The pile of clothes no longer spoil the pristine floor.In the kitchen, the counters are bare and the sink is empty and clean.In the living room, a toppled potted plant is set upright and the scattered soil is in a bin.The smattering of broken glass is swept aside into a neat pile by the wall. Beside the window, a little anonymous note of apology and. I tried giving her the eye but she was probably right. Even more important, it seemed to matter a lot to them for some reason. And if it was important to them I would accept it, even support it. This was why by 9 AM we were standing in front of EKP Men’s Custom Clothiers as it opened.An older man removed the security gate and then opened the door, flipping a sign from closed to open. He was maybe in his seventies and inside I saw a younger man closer to my age tidying up at a counter. The older. Meanwhile, Suzy and her two helpers, mostly her helpers, got breakfast ready for the rest of the mob.After the breakfast cleanup was done, I called into Elk City.“Mountain Man to Elk City, you on the air blue suit, Paul?”After 3 or 4 tries, Paul came on the air. “Criminy Matt, it’s 7 in the morning. Don’t you people sleep up there?”“Hey there, Paul, it isn’t my fault you stay up all night partying with wild women and intoxicating beverages. I’m checking in to see if you flatlanders have gotten.