I was grateful thatthere was no one on the street, but her car was parked on a busy streetwhere there were certain to be people out and about.I got a ...ot of stares being dressed as I was and some unkind comments,but people seemed to think I was a girl, though not the kind you wouldinvite into your home for dinner. It took four trips to load her carduring which my stress level rose as high as it had ever been.It was nearing dinner time by the time Rita's car was loaded and thegirls decided to. ”I heard a slight gag on the other line.“Shut up about beer,” she whispered. “It’s been a bad day.”Oh this was too rich. I actually felt bad for my best friend, but she had sewn this crop all on her own. It was time for her harvest of sorrow.“Well, drink a lot of water and be ready for tomorrow. I need you around to avoid all the little kids, and whoever Natalie might bring to annoy me.”“I don’t even want to think about your parent’s party,” she said sadly.“Come on. I’d miss you.”“Even after. .. cruel place.”His face showed a pained expression yet he quickly recovered and showed again a smile that lit up the room, Lucian thought for few moments, he wanted to say something, but decided to keep his mouth closed and just gaze at the man. He wanted to know the source of his pain yet was unable to vocalize his question. Part due to the man’s radiant aura. If there was such a thing, Lucian thought, this man possessed it, it was not threatening, but still oozed out of his pores and made. ”“During the week, then?”“Maybe. I need to look at my calendar.”“I’d give you a call if I knew your number.”“I don’t have a phone. Only at the lab.”“You don’t have a cell?”“I do.” She turned to the cash register and pressed a button to spool out a length of register tape. She tore it off, jotted down a number and handed it to me. “I have your number from your card.”“Right. What hours do you work at your lab?”“Eight to four-thirty. Give me a call after six, tomorrow. We can talk then.”“Mae --.