" They'd marry Faith." I stared at her, speechless. Her point had struck home. And it occurred to me: had Martha been interested in me ? She laughed m...rthlessly, then offered: "I'm sorry, that wasn't fair." It probably was, " I answered. I felt about two inches tall. I have to admit I'd never even given a moment's thought to going out with Martha even though she's as interesting and nice as any woman I'd ever met."Enough on that subject," said Martha, finally. "I'm resigned to my chaste life.". There was Elsie, pretty as a picture. She blew me a kiss. It was a real lascivious kiss."Did you understand what that old man was saying?" Cherry asked, as we rolled out of town."Sure," I said. "I-40 to State Road 22 to State Road 100 to US 64 to Memphis, capital of the Republic of Memphis and the place where I pick up 60,000 F's, the balance they owe me. Then we have a party, and I wait around til I get another truck."She seemed deep in thought."You think you can get there on back roads?" she. . useless! He's the man that makes my world go around, and I can't even give him my body! What's wrong with me, Keith?" Maybe you're trying too hard, Beckie. What those guys did to you, no woman should have to put up with. But wounds like this take time to heal. Give yourself that time. I've had a few conversations with Carson, and I'm convinced that he loves you about as much as I love Tandra. Whatever it takes to help you get over this, he'll do it, and be there beside you through the whole. ..I worked on my expense report, wishing I had never put on the belt buckle, I just wanted to wear it. I felt weird when it wasn't on. Was that the magic working on me? Probably. But why didn't it make me accept this as normal? Did whoever create it make it that way to fuck with me? Why? What would their motivation be?“Hey, Trevor, how's it going?”Sean was standing before my desk, a mug of coffee in his hand. He was a tall guy in khaki slacks and a pin-striped t-shirt. I swallowed. “Need some.