” “You showed what you thought of me by walking out on me.” “You were fast asleep.” “You could have stayed.” Her voice sounded so sad th...t a lump appeared in my throat. She was right, I had treated her badly and I had no excuse. “I really wish I had,” I told her sincerely. “You’re just saying that. You don’t really mean it.” “I know I behaved like a real bitch, but now I honestly do wish I’d hung around.” “It was my first time doing anything like that,” she said in a muffled voice. I was. It had a hole in the right armpit, a blessed hole that let the breeze caress the sweaty skin of my side. We stood, breathing hard but not panting, enjoying the view of the river and the flatlands beyond the far shore. The hill was tall enough to allow us to see the farm sections, which were green already, which had been too wet to plow and had yet to green. We could see the fence lines crowded with cedar and scrub brush and the random patches of woods that said whoever farmed that land valued. Caitlin's arms came up and pulled Jeff to her, although she didn't realize that she had done it. After a time, the tip of his tongue teased her lips, asking for entry. She was certain that she clamped her lips together — well she had intended to — but somehow his tongue tentatively touched hers. She realized that while she hadn't noticed, his arms had circled her, pulling her to him. She had a strange feeling — more than lust — she felt Jeff's love for her and for Joyce. Felt it expand to all. If I had managed to keep him interested one more year I'd have been married to him half my life. He liked his secretary's tits better than mine." Fool was he?" I managed. That your grandson?"There was a fellow David's age standing on the Office porch with the most amazed look on his face. He was totally mesmerized by the two sedan deliveries."Jesse? Get your butt over here. Mrs. Austin wants to find out if you can fix her car."Jesse stepped off the porch, missing the step entirely and landing.