"She stared challengingly at me for a moment, then her face crumpled again and tears ran slowly down her cheeks. I was torn. My logic told me to walk ...way, my emotions wouldn't let me. Compassion won! I took out my handkerchief and offered it to her. At first she ignored the offer then reluctantly took the cloth and wiped her eyes."If you let it get to you like this, then he's won again." I offered as a crumb of comfort. "Angela tells me that you are an asset to the hotel. Build on that and. Zelkrixa ... return ... home. Kirr-Inax ... must be ... protected!Kelli hunkered down with her unconscious friends, watching fearfully as a stream of Bug patrols marched by. The insectoid soldiers stuck to the main road, paying no attention to her, or the score of decapitated Kirrix troopers that had chased them towards Iron Wolverines territory. Her hand shook with fear as she held Tony’s chrome SMG and she prayed that they wouldn’t return.When it was obvious they were gone for good, she. She looks at me and with sisterly love in her eyes adds, "How long haveyou been a transvestite?" I choke on my coffee-it is a direct hit Inever anticipated. I could deny it, of course but Susan has neverchastised me, even when I made ridiculous mistakes. I take another sipof my coffee and somehow the words come out of my mouth "I started atage 9, over 30 years ago." Bill, does Colleen know?" "No" I rapidly reply "it would break herheart."Susan reaches into her handbag ad pulls out today's. I have my favorite places all over: the breakfast joints, the excellent little pubs where the cook doesn't know he could be a chef, seafood on the water, dark-paneled steak houses. Different places for different moods, different company, different purposes.I was at a place I like to go for lunch when I am by myself. Great food, busy enough to be private if you know what I mean, good light for reading, excellent waitresses--a little older, confident without being brassy and dedicated to service..