Still eating young children?’ ‘Oh, Jack, cut the shit, would you?’ ‘If it’s something you really feel strongly about, sure.’ He looked at ...er, wanted to get this over with as fast as possible. ‘What can I do for you today, Renata? Need a new kidney, perhaps?’ She ignored him. ‘Did you hear about the Segals?’ she said. ‘They’re getting a divorce?’ Frank Segal was a very big deal from Houston, something to do with trading oil and cornering the market on supertankers and owning at least twenty. ‘Into your cage, bitch’ she said. I turned and crawled on all fours across the bedroom and into the cage. Mistress followed me and closed the iron gate, snapped the padlock shut and left the room. There I was laying there locked in my punishment cell, not that I had knowingly upset Mistress. Gradually the night descended, and I was in complete darkness.It seemed like hours later that I heard the sound of at least two cars arrive on the driveway outside and many voices. The bell rang then the. Applause broke out as the three entered the dining area with Kate. Gwen saw Ted and Paula seated at a big table with the Marshes and Smiths. Ms. Walker, Charlotte, and Billy were also sitting with them.Ted stood and motioned the group over to join them. Gwen quickly surmised that things had gone well after seeing her mother beam with pleasure. She hugged her father, then Charlotte, and took a seat. Jordan gave Ted a hug and sat down while Steve shook hands with Ted, Ralph Smith, and Billy's. But she didn't have the nerve for that. Kara reached in the car and freed the towel. She wrapped it around herself and cinched it as it had been before. She tapped Paul on the shoulder. "You can turn around now." She continued, "Will you come in? I want to fix you a drink, sort of a thank you for being so kind." She hoped he would accept. "I don't drink on weekdays, but I am through for the day and could go for a soda." Paul hoped she was thinking of more than a drink. "I think I might be able.