" with no further mention of the neighbor girls, but the promise still there lingering. I agreed."So..." this was the first time I was bringing it up ...gain, not since we'd started packing, not the whole time we'd been on the road, but as we'd pulled off on the exit a nerve in my stomach had alit, had throbbed, fear and curiosity. "These neighbor girls you mentioned," I said.He laughed. Any worry I'd had that he'd forgotten mentioning them or made them up faded."I was wondering when you'd ask,". He looked about swiftly, saw her bright red blouse and black canvas handbag, and made directly for her. In the few seconds she had in which to study him and decide whether to dissimulate, she went from nervousness to an acute curiosity. He wasn’t screen-idol material, but he was good-looking enough: athletically trim, with a pleasant, open face that obviously didn’t get much sun, topped by a thick mop of brown hair. He wore casual clothes, as she did, but they were of good quality and perfectly. "Mom ... can I watch you get dressed?" I said rather hurriedly." ... Yes ... yes, Charley, I guess so ... I mean we have been so open with each other. You have seen me with and without clothes. So, yes, if you would like that ... so would I. Why don't you find some things you like ... you pick!" She went into the bathroom and I opened her drawer full of lacy underthings.I carefully picked the pretty and most daring. I picked nothing that was obvious or tacky. All Gossard, Maidenform and. ” “I know, I’m teasing.” This time her voice is sharp, quick. “I think… I don’t know, I guess I just wanted to hear your voice.” “So you found the book?”“Book? No, I bribed Cam to find your number after you left. He’s not the easiest nut to crack but the sleuthing seems to amuse him.” There’s a slight pause. “What book?”“Nothing.” With the shower off, the steam begins to dissipate, taking with it the warmth. I grab a towel and wrap it around my waist, “So, you’ve been holding onto my number.