Each sat separated by thoughts that were dark and dismal. Reaching the apartment complex, they were surprised by loud music that seemed to come at lea...t ten apartments away. Ashwin shook his head and muttered ‘Bloody Indians.’ And Ayesha laughed. Sometimes they could read each others mind but the operative word was some times. Knocking on the door, Ashwin shifted the gift from one hand to another and asked ‘What did you get her?’ ‘A vase from Pottery barn’ she answered. His eyebrows went up and. Vanessa allayed those fears a little bit by telling Jared that her mother was across the other side of town at some doctors and nurses function and wouldn’t be home until very late.“And besides” said Vanessa aloud as she pulled herself up along side Jared on her bed, “I bought these today. And I want you to show me how to use them with my own private demonstration!”With those words Vanessa pulled out a packet of condoms ... and not just ordinary condoms either ... these were special ones with. ”In the house, Ed noticed that one of the walls looked odd. Going over to it, he found that it opened to a basement. Searching near the door, he found a light switch and flipped it. Warm light came shining up from the basement. Signaling for the others to follow him, he went down the stairs. At the bottom step, he stopped and looked around at the basement. It reminded him of the chemistry lab back at the College. Stepping into the basement, he said, “This explains everything.”Howard looked. ‘Are you laughing at me?’ she scowled. He grinned back. ‘I can’t help myself, you’re such a bundle of contradictions, Ivy.’ Her frown deepened, and he seemed to consider his next words before speaking again. ‘On the one hand you’re so strong and independent and feisty, but then sometimes you seem so feminine and vulnerable.’ He paused, his eyebrows forming a quizzical line across his brow. Ivy was still coming up with a cutting response to the remark when, as if he didn’t really understand it.