Ever the rabble-rouser, I couldn’t help but argue, ‘Yes, but I have an extra four on the other cheek.’ I knew I was pushing it. I felt faint fro... being upside down for too long. He let it slide. I heard others groan in disappointment. I’d never been with another woman in a sexual manner, though in university, I’d had some offers. But it always just grossed me out too much. Fortunately, a polite rebuff was all it’d taken to sidestep their propositions. Now there was no proposition nor was there. “Nessa, I said as I cracked her door open. Can I talk to you for a minute? There is something important that I have to tell you.” “If it’s about dad and Aunt Lucy...” she began “wait how do you know about that already?” I asked and she said she heard mom screaming at dad about it over the phone this morning before she went to school. How do you feel about it? I asked. “Well I don’t really feel much I guess” she said and her eyes got watery. Come on Nessa talk to me. She wailed and began sobbing. That's right. But then ... I wrote him a letter telling him what a rotten thing he'd done." I said with a hint of anger."You told him you knew about him and his girl?" she asked."Yes, I did. I figured Little Mrs. Dimwit would tell him soon enough. She had no clue that what she told me was important. No clue at all." I stated with an amazed look."Sounds like they're made for each other." Mom laughed. It was the first time I'd seen her laugh in a long, long time. It was a wonderful sight. I. The lake had been frozen for three or four weeks now and with Christmasfast approaching many skaters of all ages were out enjoying themselves;so it was good to see the lovely girl's face glowing with health as theyslowly walked along the edge of the lake, her eyes bright and alert as ifit was something she could well have known when a child."Have you ever skated before?" Katya asked smiling, with welcoming signsthat she was definitely on the mend as the girl's face lit up instantly."Oh yes" she.