Instead of going to basketball practice after school, I now have to go to this ridiculous academic team. I didn’t even know who was on the team or ...ow many kids there were, all I could think about is how much I was going to get teased for this from all of my friends. I make my way to room 156, walk in to see Ms. Niles and two other girls.“That’s it” I said. “Only three people on a team”?“Welcome Ricky”, said Ms. Niles. “You know Krista and Linda, don’t you”?“Yes ma’am, I do”, sighing as I. She needed more data. She closed her eyes, let them dark-acclimate for a few seconds, then opened them one at a time, watching the light field and imagery change as each adapted -- things seemed symmetrical, so probably no concussion. Now that she was functioning mentally, her whole-body ache was dichotomized, very different above and below the waist. Was she paralyzed? Had she broken her back, cut her spinal cord? Coldly, rationally she suppressed emotion and incipient panic. NO, not so, no. But, change was happening.Our village has flourished, largely unmarked and unaffected by the turmoil to the East. It had become a true settlement, the population increasing with larger numbers of runaway slaves and young being brought into their lives. More families are being formed with the influx of women. As a result, life was becoming civilized. Although much more primitive compared to the region to the East, it didn’t take long for the attitudes to change. At least before, if our way. After a frustrating moment or two, he finally put both of his hands on her hips to steady him. ‘I want you to squeeze me here,’ he said. ‘I… I don’t know how,’ she admitted quietly. He smiled generously. ‘A woman should endeavor to learn as much about herself as she can. It’s unfortunate that society does not encourage this. I can’t very well tell you what muscles to flex, but I can give you a simple bit of advice.’ ‘Yes. Anything.’ ‘Cough,’ he continued to smile. She looked back at him.