A few houses, very few signs of man. He admired the trees, smelling the flowers, looking down at the ants, so busy in their business, and smiled them ...ike a gentle giant.Reached a large meadow with high grass, he decided to leave the trail and climb to several tens of meters. The grass covered the high visual and hid him in the eyes of any onlookers. He found a small flat area, put the backpack down, spread the blanket, and lay down completely undressed to enjoy the sun and air. He fell asleep.. We can’t be having junior coming into a world this cold, now can we?’ He said sweetly, smiling and taking another bag from my arms and loading it in, pausing to give me a brief kiss and pat my bulge affectionately.‘We can’t help it when he comes,’ I protested. ‘I’m sure babies have been born all the time in places and conditions worse than this, Jason. Besides, he’d be early!’‘YOU can help when he comes into the world,’ Jason said, in a matter-of-fact tone, closing up the back.‘Now, you don’t. “Since when? You love children, Wes.”“I won’t argue that. I do love children, but I don’t want any of my own, Mom. I’m a surgeon. I won’t have the time to raise a family. I’d make a horrible fucking father, just like Dad.”The room went eerily quiet. Janie looked down at her hands and Elena looked like someone had slapped her. It was the first time Wes had ever mentioned his father in front of me. I kept quiet, anticipating what would happen next.“I-I’m going to go to the ladies’ room,” Elena. She was at least four inches taller than him, but she lookedsmall and frail, waiting for his answer. He wanted to be strong andcruel and leave her hanging for an answer, but it just wasn't in him -not any more. Instead, he hugged her, without saying a word.It took Abby a moment or two to bring her arms up and hug him inreturn, but when she did, she started crying. The tears were tears ofregret and of relief - and, most importantly they were sincere. It feltas if Paul had given her a ladder to.