She had wept to see this once proud figure, surrounded by contemptuous former comrades, being pushed, prodded and struck on all parts of her bruised b...dy as a way of encouraging her to keep moving, stumbling and staggering the last few painful yards to the port. But she made it all the way, which nobody had thought she would.Paula had heard from friends who worked at the port how Roberta had collapsed as she reached the boat and been unceremoniously thrown into the hold with the cargo. She did. But as growing up years do, she grew up and continued to keep her thoughts to herself yet the 'unknowing' always stayed close in her secret place that she dare not reveal to anyone. Even though she dated and eventually married, still, there seemed to be 'something' lacking in her life. And once again, as she pondered this, somehow, deep within, she knew what that was.She wondered why she never felt completely satisfied in the arms of her lovers; and why she never felt completely whole with. .. hindered by the ring."His kind eyes met mine as I sat there too frozen to move.He smiled lightly. "Just imagine I have the rot in my finger, Maria. The affected limb must be cut off, so the rest of the body may be saved. Be brave."I nodded once.With steadier hands, I took him by the wrist and set his hand palm up upon the grassy ground."Curl all your fingers but the ring finger, Jon," I whispered, trying to be soothing.He complied, closing his eyes tight and turning his head away."Be brave. I get off at two. Where are you staying?" I'm at the Day's Inn, just off the freeway." Fine. There's a Denny's about two blocks up, just past the on-ramp and the underpass. Can you find it?" I'll find it." Meet me there. Four o'clock." I'll be there. Thank you, Mr. Bernard. You won't regret this."Dave hung up and suddenly couldn't help but wonder if he, or his children, were in danger because of the damned SluT9.Dave backed out of lunch with his co-workers. Instead he spent his lunch hour.