Debbie Courtney, who lived across the street and had turned fourteen the last week in February, started flirting more with me on the bus each day. Deb...ie Vaughn, who lived just down the street, would turn fourteen on March 16th and invited me to her birthday party. And Donna Woody, who lived just down the street in the other direction, would turn fourteen on March 20th. She had made it clear what she wanted for her birthday, and in no uncertain terms said that the Debbie’s could not have me. Most tepees would collapse under the weight of snow and then be trampled on by large beasts. Chief Cave Lion eventually emerged from his tent. It was the custom that he should be the last man to leave. He scraped aside the snow and kissed the bare earth. He raised his spear on both outstretched arms above his head and strode to the head of the waiting column of villagers who despite the warmth of their thick furs were already shivering in the chill Northern wind. There was one last ceremony to. “Okay, we’ll talk later, but I’ll not be apologizing to you. Bye.”She sighed a bit before giving her phone back to my waiting hand. I put the phone back where it had been, and turned back to look at Caryn.“Caryn, my fairy. I’m sorry that I got carried away and took advantage of you. But you should know that my feelings are still the same.”I could almost feel those dark blue eyes scanning me before she spoke.“No, you shouldn’t.”“I know and I’m sorry...”“NO!”There was some frustration in her. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Here, make yourself useful.” She handed him the pair of pies and stepped inside.“Cassie, I didn’t know you were coming!” said Taylor, coming to the foyer to see what the commotion was.The rest of the household joined the others in the foyer as Harry Junior took the pies to the kitchen and Cassie began to shrug off her coat. Frank helped her and hung the coat up, looking curiously at his sister-in-law. Sue introduced her, saying that Cassie was her best friend,.