"Look, Sarah, or Claire, I'll give you money, I have plenty - " The crop came down hard on my stomach again, and I winced at the stinging pain. "Don't...call me Claire! From now on you call me mistress. And don't think you can buy me off, because you don't have any money. I have it all. It's a pity you haven't been paying any attention to your books, or your accounts. Let me hear you beg me to stop hurting you!" She brought the crop down hard all over my body. I began to cry from the. Just aswell, I suppose, given my depleted bank account. But it was pretty noveland exciting just the same. Here's what happened:One Saturday morning in early March, I got up early and showered, did myhair up really pretty with a short ponytail tied with a pink ribbon,applied makeup, pink lipstick, and perfume, and put on my cutest pink-and-white dress - all to go perfectly with my nails, which I'd spent an houron the evening before. Why all the trouble? Well, I figured, if you'vebeen invited to. “English, French, Swedish ... and I can often make myself understood in Norway, and Denmark.”“Wow. That’s really something. I wish I had been better at French in high school. I just scraped through. I envy you,” he said.Kirsten beamed at his compliment. She could easily tell it was sincere, and that just confirmed her opinion of Jesse Peterson.The ballgame began and Jesse was happy to explain some of the nuances of the game as they occurred. He talked about strategy and how the infield and. ’ ‘Yeah well I’m trying my best not to break down because my emotions are still scattered due to my parents demise. I have to pay all our bills AND keep food on the table! On top of that i’m doing my best to be a loving wife and active mom so excuse me if I am unsympathetic to your feelings.’ ‘So because you’re bringing home all the bread my feelings don’t matter.’ ‘Do you ever decipher anything I say correctly?’ I asked more so to myself than him. ‘Goodnight, Catalina.’ he said dismissively.