——————— Lora opened the lid of the can of protein drink. She scooped one full tablespoon and dumped it into a tall glass. She looked dow... at her friend, kneeling on the hard tiles just a few feet away to her left. Maries eyes were red and tears dripped down her cheeks but she stayed silent as instructed. The stiff posture collar kept her head turned upward, the tears running into her ears and down her neck. There were pools in the spots where her hands rested on the collar, fingers clasped. She can hear the bath water running, and when she returns, she sees he indeed does have another full enema tube waiting for her. He’s playing with the bubbles building in the tub, and she returns to the stool, bending over into the full-spread position.He smiles when she can’t see him, and applies a large blob of lube to her hole. Never missing a chance to insert a finger, he works her asshole over with more lube and two fingers this time. Another precious whimper escapes her mouth and he eases. She had some problem with her children and wanted to stay with us for some time. She had lost her husband at a young age and was alone with her youngest daughter.This was during the Christmas vacation. Naturally I was asked to vacate my room for her, which at first irritated me. At this she said, “Kutta, you share the room with me and I will tell you some interesting stories.” At this I agreed half-heartedly.That night, after dinner I went to sleep around 10. After half an hour she too came to. I prefer wine because cocktails can be a slippery slope. One too many and I’m regretting something the next morning. The men emerged from their hole, smelling like liquor and cigars, to resupply their snack stashes. One of wives, now precariously teetering on the edge of “one too many,” started complaining that the men always played cards and left the women out of the fun and games. She was challenging the status quo. All she needed was an ally and the avalanche of solidarity would soon follow..