Some knickers and bras that were discarded were picked up and thrown in the garbage. My dress and silk knickers were missing. I thought that in future...I wouldn’t wear anything expensive to these parties. Before leaving, the lady of the house saw us to the door, and again thanked us for our contribution to the evening’s success. She handed me an envelope that I thanked her for, and slid it into my handbag without opening it. I was sure I knew what was in it, and felt it would have been rude of. If the costs aren’t viable for a commercial offering, we’ll go a different route.”“Who else are you asking for bids?”“The usual suspects: you, Rockwell, General Dynamics, and Honeywell.”“None of them will hit your timeline,” he said.“We’ll see. I’m talking to you first. Do you want in or not?”“Send me your design, and I’ll talk to the bosses.”“I guess that’s the best I can ask for.”It was harder getting through to the right people at the other firms. Fame helped since I used my name as leverage. I took them out and found the stuff I'd bought at the truck stop. There were two pair left in the three pack I bought and I put one on. Much better. I noticed they were a 36 and the stuff in my drawer was all 34s.The jeans in my closet were no better. I couldn't button them and when I looked down, I noticed the legs ended a couple of inches above my ankles. The same thing happened when I put on my favorite shirt. Tight across the shoulders, sleeves too short, trying to button it up felt like I. “Whatever, Sandy, but you are really too young to be giving yourself to guys. You need to be young while you can,” Carol said.“I know,” Sandy said a little downcast. “I’m smart enough to be in college before a lot of kids get into high school but too young to be a woman. It’s kind of funny that I can learn anything I want but not about sex or myself.”Cecile and Carol looked at each with a mutually puzzled look. Cecile answered for the both of them. “You are right about that, Sandy, but even you.