Jessica sighed. “Will you link with me?”“Hmm? You mean right now?”“Please? There’s enough light for it in this part of the lobby. That’s...why I led you over here.”“Okay, I’ll try.”“Don’t try. Just do it!” With tears on her cheeks, Jessica wiped her eyes dry on her nightshirt and then offered her eyes to Doug. A second later he gave a big hiccup.“Damn it, Doug, you have to trust me!” she hissed. “That was my great take-away from practicing with Amber and Whitney. Trust is everything in this, at. When are you coming home?" I missed my babysister but I couldn't go home that night."I'm staying over at Mandy's tonight," I said. "Please tell Mom andDaddy if they ask about me." I gave Rita Mandy's number. "I'll be hometomorrow," I said."I miss you, Joanne," Rita said. "I wish I was grown up like you. Youseem so happy since your change." I was a little surprised at that, itsounded so adult-like. Rita was only ten years old, but she suddenlyseemed so much older right then."Please don't. She grabbed a salt shaker and told me to hold out my hand. I did and she dumped the salt in my hand.“This will take the edge off,” she said, pushing up on my hand. I tossed the salt into my mouth as she sat and smiled.She placed her hand on my leg and leaned in close to me.“You’re cool,” she whispered, “Do you want to know what else is cool?”I was afraid to ask.“What?” I asked.“I’d love to share my bed with you,” she replied.Damn. I was not expecting such a blatant and straight forward. He invited her to the presentation so she could see what he had to go thru, and what the end product of six months work took him. That sort of got her off his back a bit. His presentation was set for a Thursday, so he was busy keeping up with his Sign Language, getting ready for the presentation, and panicking like crazy.The dreadful day finally arrived. Liz and Aaron walked to the classroom and got there relatively early. A few people that he took classes with were there and a few that were.