"There are so many books in this house," she said in awe. "There are as many in this room as there are in your library."Our "library" was sort of a se...ond den, with a large table in its center. Brenda worked on her compositions there, while Dee was always reading one of the novels. "This is where I keep the books I collect," I told her. "We are a family of readers. If you become one of us, I will give Dee the task of teaching you to read." If?" Willie asked, concerned."This is your last. " It is a good worry," I agree with him.We stand there quietly, while the rest of Protectors and Lost Boys listen to Napoleon. He goes on about how important and how seriousness this all is. The boys lap it up."How is Gwen handling this?" I break the silence."She is-, ' he chokes back some words that I can't make out before continuing. "She's strong. She loves him. I don't know why but they love each other," he gives me a quick smile, but it fails to hide the jealous that flashes through his. “Yeah, I told them all about you, Leonard.”“Oh, is that the artist Julie Equals?” Leonard asked. “I’ve purchased a couple of Julie Equals originals since we last talked, Contessa.”“You can return those at any time for a full refund.” Julie said, approaching the phone now. “I don’t want YOUR money or MY work hanging anywhere YOU can see it. Whatever you paid for my stuff, my husband and I will get by without it.”“Oh, I know you will, Mrs. Equals. Mr. Equals is no slouch in the money department.. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins had actually been at the game. She didn't manage to tie it in to the book of Isaiah, but I got to bask for a little while in Tanya's company. Fortunately, Tanya's fears about the class discussion were quickly assuaged by Mrs. Jenkins. One of the cutouts in the back of the class raised her hand as soon as Mrs. Jenkins started and launched into a discussion of Jesus."What's the name of this course, Miss Phillips?" Mrs. Jenkins asked sweetly."The People of the Book?" Clarissa.