”“I’m not truly worried,” Elizabeth admitted. “I would wish it even if she opposed. I have caused my family much hardship and I do not wish ...o add to it.”Liala smiled.“I once went missing for 17 weeks,” she admitted. “My mother was frantic and even my older sister was concerned.”“Were you on campaign?” Octavia wondered.“I was nine,” Liala admitted with a fresh bout of laughter. “I snuck away on one of the caravans. For the first few weeks, everyone thought I was someone else’s child so none. I understood more than I could communicate. Inflection, body language, gestures, facial expressions and grouping of words that I only partially understood gave me the clues to work out the meaning of new words.Their jokes and sense of humor completely baffled me. My complete lack of understanding of their jokes seemed to amuse them. My need for privacy when taking care of bodily functions and bathing, dressing or undressing amused them.The women tittered as they tended their gardens and watched. On the evening I have in mind, I first wandered through several of the porno shops and looked extensively at magazines there, and then viewed a couple of salacious Super 8 movies.Eventually I made my way back to the live people, the ladies behind the windows. There seemed to be a hierarchy to the arrangement. Out on the periphery the ladies were of modest appearance, at best. As I approached the center of the district, they became damn gorgeous, beautiful enough to be models. I had read that. ... Yeah, its been way too long. Since, when?Vegas?.... No way, it can't be that long..... Really?... Shame on mefor not calling sooner. Anyways, I've got a surprise, and you have toguess..... Nope...... Nope..... Let me give you a hint, do youremember the one time the hole gang got together for Sue's bacheloretteparty?.... Yeah, we all got shit faced for sure. Do you remember thenext night when we picked up that leech at Coco's?..... Yeah thatnight. Do you remember what we did.