I did you a great injustice saying those things about you. They were petty and spiteful. You didn't deserve it. You've never shown me anything but kin...ness and warmth. I'm truly sorry I did that to you." she said, tears flowing from her eyes.Susan considered her a moment before replying: "Barbara. The rumors didn't affect me in the slightest. I really don't give a fuck what the rest of the world thinks about me. It was the loss of you that hurt me. It's seeing you withdraw back into your shell. ’ Who but my Dad would ever use the word ‘decorum,’ yet he did and I was suitably chastised. So other than checking for the tenth time I had the ring, I pushed Jason forward and Dad went and sat with Mom. The whole ceremony went off without a hitch, even the part when the reverend asked if anyone had any objections. The urge to turn around and check out the guests was close to overwhelming. I did often wonder if anyone would ever be brave enough to stand up at a time like that and say yes. No. “Hello Daisy,” came her soft breathy voice, hearing it for the first time.“Hello Miss,” I stammered. Zara. Zara was the name on her badge. I just knew her as Miss. The name I had come to call her when I lost myself in her words when the reality I knew would melt away and I would submit completely and become hers.Taking my hand, she led me over to the bar and ordered us both a large drink. Smiling at me she said;“I didn’t think you’d come,” her eyes looking bemused.“You can talk,” I muttered. But Steve came at Jack fast, looking for some payback for Jack smashing his head in with a gun. And sure enough, he came at Jack with a knife.Jack stuck his hand out as Steve came at him for the stomach stab, and Steve sank the blade up through his left hand. With vitae hardening Jack’s flesh, Steve had come at him hard and fast, intent on puncturing him like he was a wall of wood, and the blade pushed up through Jack’s palm, right between the middle and ring finger. The pain was an.