Several reporters were waiting for Ashley to finish up so they could question her. When they saw Steve walk in, they rushed to ask him the questions t...at had been intended for Ashley. ‘Please wait for Ashley,’ insisted Steve. ‘I spoke to the press last night and I’m still hearing about it.’ Ashley soon joined Steve and began fielding questions. She did an excellent job and Steve found himself grateful for her calm, thoughtful responses. Then a reporter asked about Congressman Simpson’s remark. Aileen brought the ham out to the dining room table, she saw that Colin had made an inviting fire; the living room was all ready growing warm. Aileen also noticed, with surprise, a small Christmas tree in the corner. Colin was standing next to it and smiling proudly."We can't have Christmas without a tree," he said. It looked like Colin had chopped off one of the fuller branches of one of the evergreen trees outside then brought it inside and strung it with some colorful lights and a few. He had been born in Far Sembol, one of the southern sea kingdoms far to the south and west of Montcross, and like many others, he had come to the Vale more than a dozen years before, fleeing the Red Death. The plague had found its way to the Vale anyway, and Samarol had found himself untouched. His wife and daughter had not fared so well though, and for more than a few years, he had been a broken man.His skills with the nets kept him working and the work kept him alive until the pain of his. Once again I looked at myself in the mirror, thebra looked funny on me as I had never worn one before, but it also put asmile on my face as I continued on. The garter which was also black waseasy to put around my waist and slipping the nylons over my legs wasalso fairly simple. My problem now was how to attach the nylons to thefour clips on each of the garters, I looked at the clasps and fumbledfor a few minutes until I figured it out, the nylons then held firmly asI clipped each clasp properly.