I don’t recall his exact words, but I’m sure if you can remember that time in life, he was probably talking about how he was wanting to hook up wi...h her, you know, talking the usual shit guys talk about when they are in a group, wasted and day dreaming. These guys knew I was a player, and they knew I left the bar with a lot of girls, but they had no idea what else I was up to. I sat there listening, and joking with these guys sometimes commenting on the ones that I’d fucked, until one of them. But first across the line is first place. Number two is first loser.Now ... this might seem to be a joyous occasion. Might.But. Not. This. Time.The track announcer finished his normal Winner’s Circle chat ... that wasn’t bad. He presented her with a check that was bigger than she was.She had all her talking points covered. Tires, Pit Crew, tool maker, car builder, the Driving School ... she thanked them all. Never mentioned me ... Why would she mention me ... I showed no interest ... I was just. So, don’t complain.’ ‘I used to call it my problem.’ His revelation set her laughing anew. She ran her hand up his thigh again. Jim waited for her to stop laughing. ‘You’re going to be gentle with me, aren’t you?’ he asked. That made her laugh even harder. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.’ ‘Not a chance!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’m going to turn you inside out—but you’ll thank me in a few days after you recover.’ She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. Jim wondered what other zingers she. "It's not? How can you say that? Those two boys were only in jail for eight years for... for what they did. Now -- now th-they're getting out. You p-people aren't jus-just letting them out. You -- you're giving them new identities, new...lives, so they won't be b-bothered. They ra-raped and kuh-killed, those boys did. My Emma, my... poor... Emma, whuh-whuh-where's her new... new life? Tell me th-that if you can."Thom stood and offered a hand to the sobbing woman. "Mrs. Lytle, please, please.