And all that time, he'd be paying alimony." Precisely. Officially, I'm trying alternative remedies, but I've neverplaced any faith in those. They say ...ou can't take it with you, but I'mhaving a pretty good try." It may be poetic justice," I said, "but it doesn't make your positionany better. Now you're out of hospital, the kids run away from youscreaming. That must be terrible."She gave me another lop-sided, twisted smile. "Actually, that hasn't beentoo bad recently. I've been wearing a mask.". Same faces, same teachers telling you off for talking, same everything. Things perked up a bit once you entered sixth form. St Bart's allow girls to join in sixth form, and every year three dozen gorgeous eighteen-year-old ladies arrive, dressed in the St Bart's uniform of pleated tartan skirts, white blouses and the school tie. On the year you joined sixth form, a real mix of girls joined with you. From slutty to prissy prefect type, black or white, blonde, brunette or redhead, only one common. However, your eyes quickly tell me that something’s amiss. ‘What’s wrong, Sandy?’ I ask concerned. ‘Oh the usual,’ you reply. ‘You know. Rowdy children and obnoxious parents,’ you add. ‘Oh, I see,’ I state sympathetically. ‘Why don’t you take a relaxing shower and rest, while I go pick us up something to eat?’ I suggest. ‘Thank you Shawn, I think that’s a great idea,’ you say with a hint of relief in your voice. As you step into the bathroom, I grab my car keys and head out in search of food.. Carley was happy and talkative.As we walked into one of the many plazas, I glanced to my right at a particularly ugly statue. Suddenly, a hand appeared, reaching for my right side at about belt level. At home, I always carry a handgun right there and I’ve practiced what are known as “retention” techniques to keep anyone from snatching my gun. I snapped my hand down across the back of the invading hand, got a good grip, bent my wrist back and turned to find myself holding a mime in a wrist.