’ ‘What debt? I thought he went bankrupt?’ ‘Yes, but some debts are nondischargeable. Like those for ‘personal injury caused by the operat...on of a motor vehicle while intoxicated”, Melissa quoted, clearly having memorized that particular phrase. ‘There are a couple of thousand dollars left as outstanding debt to the McConnel family. And William won’t marry me until it’s paid off. He said it was enough that he let his first wife and child pay for his sins, he wouldn’t let me do it, too.’ . Touch me again, I thought, but instead of saying that I merely smiled again and fluttered my eyelashes. He chuckled and concentrated again on the road.I shifted position on the seat and crossed my legs. God am I ever white, I thought. I think I'll use some tan-in-a-can next time out. Regardless of my colour I still looked good. The colour of my toes and fingernails matched; I'm so glad I took the trouble to paint them tonight.As we past 42nd and 50th I knew the ride was almost over."Oh, Gerry. "Jeni, what am I wearing?"The brunette looked at her cautiously, obviously puzzled by the question. "A T-shirt and shorts, like usual. Why?" How about now?" Grace wiped her hand clean on her breast and stomach, still watching Jeni."A dirty T-shirt?" Her friend watched the redhead cross her arms until her hands brushed opposite hips, and then lift them slowly along her body and over her head, shaking her hair. "What was that?" I took off my shirt," announced Grace, pushing the point. "See?" No,. It’s lovely. It’s perfect. I can feel the electrons in my brain quivering to a halt, can appreciate the slow intake and expulsion of air within my lungs and feel it trickling from my nostrils to caress my chest. I raise the glass, rotate the stem between my fingers, place the rim to my lips and allow the somewhat acidic and flowery liquid to roll across my palate. Calm. Peace. Rest. Silence. “Do you mind if I join you?” “Yes.” My answer is instant; no need for consideration, no need to.