"Go right ahead." What?" I said not understanding what she meant."Well, I'm far from being ready to get out of this nice hot bath I've drawn particula...ly since I've put some expensive oil in and we do have only the one bathroom so I'm don't expect you to hold it while I take my time getting out of here." But Grammy I can . . ." I interrupted."Honey, just go ahead and do it. It's a perfectly normal human function and although I'm no advocate of making a practice of such things we certain need to. " There must be ways to keep the roads clear of snow and still reduce taxes," said Eden. "But you're right: the priority must be to keep taxes down. I trust that is what you intend to do after the next general election?" It's still a few months off and the result isn't yet in the bag." The polls are looking good. And you've got the whole media behind you..." The polls also say that it's more the unpopularity of the current Coalition than support for Conservative policies that will be critical. I said, “This system is inhabited by a sentient species that has control over more powerful technology than we’ve seen on earth. We are not now nor will we be a possession of earth or any earth government. You are directed to return to earth and advise your government and all others of that fact.”“We do not take orders from anyone outside our nation.”“Very well, admiral. You will be sent back to earth. Good bye.”Janna moved a control and the ships vanished. She said, “They are returned to. And, yeah, they invite me, but then I feel like a fifth wheel. And they're all so damn happy. And I don't have that." OK, why?" Sophie asked. "Eric, you're a good looking kid. You're smart, you're a nice guy--what's the problem?"Eric sighed. "It's a lot of things. I'm picky, for one--I'll admit that. And it seems the girls I'm attracted to aren't attracted to me--and the ones that are attracted to me I have no interest in. I don't just want a girlfriend for the sake of having a girlfriend, you.