Bess was exceptionally so. Her posture was straight, not yet bent over from lugging wine, grain, hops for the beer, plates and hardware. She would als..., eventually become asthmatic from the smoky peat in the fireplace, the tobacco and burning embers from the kitchen. But for now, she really did look good. Musicians were playing in the courtyard, crowds gathering, the priest sneaking a dram before the service, the bride preening, the groom already having more than his usual for a noontime. Tim. I could get used to a life without monsters like Lewis Hogan in it. In fact, maybe I could help rid the world of more such vermin. Yes, that would be a great way to exit high school, by ending the life of my tormentor-in-chief. Yes, yes, that would please me very much.“Let’s kill him, Mom ... you, too, Jess ... let’s drain him completely of his blood!” I announced, inviting Jessica to join us in sucking the former principal dry.It was hard to tell if the pallor on Lewis Hogan’s face was caused. Her mother drags her off shopping, kicking and screaming, "I don't wanna go!", yeah, like THAT's ever going to happen, every MomdayTuesday: Goodwill, Blind Thrift, Salvation Army, and not just one branch store ... EVERY branch store. Then it's Big Lots, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, WalMart, Sams Club, and all the permanent Garage and Yard Sales, she even goes to Northern Tool and Harbor Freight, SOB, whine, cry ... she goes to MY MANTOOL stores, "To save you a trip."The second set of dish. That summer we had several big contracts due so I had to devote most of my time the first month and a half back to work, delaying my rendezvous with her. The day finally came where our schedules worked out and we would be able to meet up. Since she lived 2 hours away from work we agreed on meeting at a park and ride about half way between us. I spent that entire day at work fantasizing about how our meeting would turn out. I made sure to lock my workstation and head out about 10 minutes early.